Whenever something major happens that puts critical products in short supply,two things inevitably follow.First,there is a major"coming together"with diverse groups,companies and organizations forming unlikely collaborations to get done what needs to be done.That definitely occurred this year with the onslaught of the novel coronavirus pandemic.It was amazing to see the stories of ingenuity and determination to turn around projects in weeks or even days,when the normal cycle could take many months.There was an outpouring of support to make sure the frontline soldiers in this battle-the first responders,health care workers and many others-were properly equipped.The second thing that occurs in situations like these is to ask why the U.S.industrial sector isn't positioned to supply these needs on an ongoing basis,to avoid the scrambling that occurs when a crisis of this proportion spotlights the inadequacy of the U.S.to manufacture many of these goods.That was the topic of recent hearings before the U.S.International Trade Commission.And while there were stories of companies that had retooled to provide essential goods and components,there also was a message by others that reshor-ing isn't that simple.
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