Oklahoma spends about $87 million on PPE in pandemic’s early months

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – In the early months of the coronavirus pandemic, Oklahoma spent about $87 million on personal protective gear and medical equipment.

Data obtained from the Oklahoma State Department of Health through an open records request shows much of the money went to companies that were quickly formed as states scrambled to buy items like masks, gloves and gowns.

The data shows the state’s top vendor was Standard Healthcare Supply Inc., an Oklahoma City-based company that was created in March and received $17.8 million to buy supplies.

The state also spent $9.8 million on masks and gloves from a Utah-based hemp company, Green Rock Hemp Holdings.