OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — In the early months of the coronavirus pandemic, Oklahoma spent about $87 million on personal protective gear and medical equipment, much of it going to companies that were quickly formed as states scrambled to buy items such as masks, gloves and gowns.

A public records request by The Associated Press 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 for purchases of masks, gloves, gowns and other medical supplies.

The state also spent $9.8 million on masks and gloves from a...