LANSING – Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Wednesday she is in talks with Michigan companies about producing medical gowns and other needed items to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

She said on MSNBC the state is also looking at going directly to the World Health Organization for coronavirus tests, after the federal government reportedly did not work with WHO to obtain testing kits for the U.S.

"The slow ramp-up at the national level has really undermined our ability to meet that need," said Whitmer, continuing her critique of the federal response to the crisis that drew blowback Tuesday from Republican President Donald Trump.

"It would be most helpful if we had the kind of national strategy that I think this crisis needs."

Whitmer said her administration is "working with our private industry in Michigan to start to manufacture medical gowns and equipment because we're not getting them from the feds and we think that we can meet some of those needs."

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She did not provide more details, but said Tuesday that Michigan is also in talks with a Michigan company about producing hand sanitizer.

Later, at a news conference, Whitmer said she's also in contact with the Michigan Department of Corrrections about whether prisoners might be able to manufacture some of the needed items.

U.S. Rep. Andy Levin, D-Bloomfield Township, and other members of Congress have called on Trump to invoke the Defense Production Act to require and provide incentives to U.S. manufacturers to produce the ventilators, masks, gowns and other equipment needed. Trump said Tuesday he is studying the possibility but does not feel such action is needed yet.

On testing, Whitmer said Tuesday that Michigan does not have enough testing kits to do the testing that is needed and does not have a good handle on how many people in the state are infected with coronavirus.

She said on MSNBC on Wednesday that she'd heard the World Health Organization had available testing kits, but the U.S. did not work with WHO to obtain them.

"I'm not sure why," she said. "Other countries have done it."

She said the state is now looking at going directly to WHO to get available testing kits. "I've asked the team to reach out," she said at a Wednesday afternoon news conference, but she did not know whether contact had been made yet.

"I don't know if it's possible, that's the point," Whitmer said. "We are pulling out all of the stops to make sure that if there is an avenue for us to ramp up as a state, we are going to pursue it."

According to Snopes.com, a fact-checking website, it is true that the U.S. did not use COVID-19 tests produced by WHO, in favor of producing its own. But the U.S. did not turn down an offer to use those tests, as no offer was extended, and it is not unusual for the U.S. to design and produce its own diagnostic tests instead of obtaining ones made elsewhere, Snopes.com said.

"The people of Michigan need to see results," and "need to know that they are protected," Whitmer said.

Whitmer ordered bars closed Monday and ordered restaurants closed except for carry-out and delivery services. She also closed gyms and theaters and ordered schools closed last week.

On Twitter Tuesday, Trump described Whitmer as "failing," and said she "must work harder and be much more proactive."

In a deal reached between Whitmer and the Legislature over 10 hours Tuesday, an additional $125 million in funding was approved by the House of Representatives and Senate to respond to the coronavirus. The funding includes money for health care providers to expand their capacity to treat people infected with the virus as well funding for testing for and monitoring cases.

Laura Cox, chairwoman of the Michigan Republican Party, criticized Whitmer for making several national TV appearances on MSNBC and CNN in recent days.

"While Michigan continues to deal with the worst health crisis we have seen in decades, our governor seems solely focused on posturing for a spot on Joe Biden’s ticket," Cox said in a news release.

Whitmer has frequently been mentioned as a possible running mate for Biden, the former vice president who is the delegate leader in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination. He has promised to select a woman. Whitmer, who is a national co-chair of the Biden campaign, has said she will help Biden select a running mate, but it will not be her.

Staff writer Kathleen Gray contributed to this report.

Contact Paul Egan: 517-372-8660 or pegan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @paulegan4. Read more on Michigan politics and sign up for our elections newsletter.