As happened in most states when COVID-19 struck, Ohio over-purchased.

Now, much of that stockpile is expiring.

Ohio auctioned 393,000 protective gowns … for $2,451. The state had to throw away another 7.2 million of them, along with expired masks, gloves and other protective gear.

Taxpayers paid $29 million in for that equipment.

But this isn’t a matter of Ohio being reckless with taxpayer dollars.

This is a matter of facing the consequences for a nationwide lack of preparation and planning.

“What a real waste. That’s what happens when you don’t prepare, when you have a bust-and-boom public health system,” said Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association.

“It shows that we really have to do a better job of managing our stockpiles.”

Ohio handed out more than 227 million pieces of protective equipment during the pandemic. Then, the panic and the crisis itself eased.

While we all hope we will never again see such a public health emergency, we are being irresponsible to ourselves if we allow our memories regarding our failure to plan and prepare to fade.

Let’s be ready for the next crisis.