Democratic primary front-runner Joe Biden defended Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s work to address the coronavirus pandemic after she sparred with President Donald Trump about who is responsible for providing overwhelmed hospitals with vital medical supplies.

In a statement to MLive, Biden said Whitmer has been a “tenacious fighter” for Michigan while “facing a dangerous abdication of leadership from Donald Trump during this pandemic." Biden, who posted a decisive victory in Michigan’s March primary on the same day the state’s first coronavirus cases were discovered, tapped Whitmer to serve as a national co-chair for his campaign.

“Donald Trump could learn a thing or two from Governor Whitmer – speed matters, details matter, and people matter,” Biden said in a statement. “She’s secured more than 10 million N95 masks, more than 4 million gloves, thousands of gallons of hand sanitizer, and critical equipment for health care providers.”

"But that’s not enough – states like Michigan need more help from this administration. They can’t go it alone, and they need help now."

The former vice president released the statement after Trump criticized Whitmer during a Fox News interview Thursday, the latest in a series of barbs thrown after the Democratic governor accused him of not doing enough to provide resources to Michigan. Republicans, meanwhile, have also criticized Whitmer for being slow to seek a disaster declaration.

“We’ve had a big problem with the young -- a woman governor -- you know who I’m talking about, from Michigan,” Trump said.

Speaking with Sean Hannity by phone Thursday, Trump said governors shouldn’t solely rely on the federal government to supply personal protective gear that has become scarce as hospitals deal with an exponentially increasing number of COVID-19 cases.

“Your governor of Michigan, I mean, she’s not stepping up,” Trump said. “I don’t know if she knows what’s going on, but all she does is sit there and blame the federal government, she doesn’t get it done."

Whitmer repeatedly called on Trump in press conferences and interviews to address a shortage of coronavirus tests, protective masks, gowns and other protective equipment. She said shipments from the Strategic National Stockpile only covers a fraction of what is needed to address the growing number of COVID-19 patients.

During a Friday radio interview with WWJ Newsradio, she said Michigan has had a difficult time obtaining important medical gear.

“What I’ve gotten back is that vendors with whom we’ve procured contracts -- They’re being told not to send stuff to Michigan,” Whitmer said. “It’s really concerning, I reached out to the White House last night and asked for a phone call with the president, ironically at the time this stuff was going on.”

Biden said the president should be more focused on providing ventilators, masks and other equipment rather than “delivering cheap shots on Fox News.”

“Donald Trump said he’s a wartime president, and now’s the time for him to act like it – if Donald Trump stands with Michigan, it’s time for him to wake up and deliver," Biden said.

Read all of MLive’s coverage on the coronavirus at mlive.com/coronavirus.

Additional information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

CORONAVIRUS PREVENTION TIPS

In addition to washing hands regularly and not touching your face, officials recommend practicing social distancing, assuming anyone may be carrying the virus. Health officials say you should be staying at least 6 feet away from others and working from home, if possible. Carry hand sanitizer with you, and use disinfecting wipes or disinfecting spray cleaners on frequently-touched surfaces in your home ( door handles, faucets, countertops ) and when you go into places like stores.

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