Thinking that the pandemic will blow over before a sufficient amount of ventilators are available may actually be too optimistic. Car factories and similar man

Thinking that the pandemic will blow over before a sufficient amount of ventilators are available may actually be too optimistic. Car factories and similar manufacturing plants can probably be turned around in a matter of months, and will be able to produce millions of respirators over a year or two. The virus, unless properly contained, is likely to be a threat for at least 1-2 years, and that is assuming no significant mutations to restart the cycle. During WW2, the US started ordering Essex class carriers in 1940. Even though they were not present during the critical months of early 1942, they did turn the battle of the Pacific in 1943.