The Pentagon spent $ 1 billion allocated to fight COVID-19 on military needs

The Pentagon channeled $ 1 billion on jet engine parts, satellite and space surveillance technologies, drones, and body armor and dress uniforms. The US Congress allocated this money for the purchase of medical equipment necessary to combat the coronavirus pandemic, writes The Washington Post.

US Department of Defense officials said they were seeking to "find a balance" between increasing stockpiles of medicines and supporting the defense industry, which they consider critical to national security. Members of the House of Representatives questioned the legitimacy of the use of the money and called for an investigation and public hearing on the matter. In total, Congress approved the allocation of $ 3 trillion in emergency spending to combat the pandemic.

The number of deaths among patients with COVID-19 in the United States exceeded 200 thousand.In total, more than 6.8 million people were infected in the country. In early April, the White House admitted that up to 240 thousand Americans could die from the coronavirus, and in a negative scenario, more than 1.5 million. In mid-April, the US President significantly lowered the forecast - to 60-65 thousand deaths.