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Coronavirus: The NHS workers wearing bin bags as protection

23 points by caution 7y ago

malandrew 7y ago
This seems to be the story for pretty much every healthcare system, regardless of how it is funded/administered. Single payer or privatized doesn't seem to make a difference. No system has been designed to respond to an unforecasted surge in volume. Neither is incentivized to do so. If there is healthcare system that has done fairly well with regard being able to provide PPE to medical staff, it's China, which suggests that the key factor is having manufacturing capability. This makes me think that countries shouldn't have strategic reserves of PPE, but should have strategic reserves of PPE manufacturing capacity. Having the manufacturing capacity also eliminates the risk of expired PPE once it is finally needed. The goal should be to manufacture a buffer that is constantly being used up and that you have the ability to replenish without supply chain concerns. My understanding is that the H1N1 "crisis" in 2008 nearly bankrupted the only mask manufacturer in the US. Seems like businesses of importance to national security like this should be guaranteed completely interest-free government financing, so there is little to no risk of failure should they respond pro-actively with investments due to an anticipated epidemic/pandemic.
- harvey9 7y ago
  I'd rather see a government order commitment. They should get cheap enough finance from the market with an order commitment.
  - malandrew 7y ago
    Can you elaborate on how that would work and the pros and cons? I'm curious
    - harvey9 7y ago
      I figured if the government commits to buying 10 million units with the only proviso being that they meet quality spec that leaves the onus on the manufacturer to meet spec. My worry was that if the government is an investor then there's more risk of misaligned incentives.
  - throwawaymanbot 7y ago
    I think Malandrew is trolling.
- deleted 7y ago
  [deleted]
- timbit42 7y ago
  > If there is healthcare system that has done fairly well with regard being able to provide PPE to medical staff, it's China, which suggests that the key factor is having manufacturing capability. Also Finland.
- T3OU-736 7y ago
  This may have been posted on HN elsewhere, but I think this is coverage of the US PPE business you mention: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/watchdog/2020/04/03/if-you-imagine-that-a-local-business-making-surgical-face-masks-is-working-247-guess-again/ https://www.dallasnews.com/news/watchdog/2020/04/03/if-you-i...

23 points by caution 7y ago

This seems to be the story for pretty much every healthcare system, regardless of how it is funded/administered. Single payer or privatized doesn't seem to make a difference. No system has been designed to respond to an unforecasted surge in volume. Neither is incentivized to do so. If there is healthcare system that has done fairly well with regard being able to provide PPE to medical staff, it's China, which suggests that the key factor is having manufacturing capability. This makes me think that countries shouldn't have strategic reserves of PPE, but should have strategic reserves of PPE manufacturing capacity. Having the manufacturing capacity also eliminates the risk of expired PPE once it is finally needed. The goal should be to manufacture a buffer that is constantly being used up and that you have the ability to replenish without supply chain concerns. My understanding is that the H1N1 "crisis" in 2008 nearly bankrupted the only mask manufacturer in the US. Seems like businesses of importance to national security like this should be guaranteed completely interest-free government financing, so there is little to no risk of failure should they respond pro-actively with investments due to an anticipated epidemic/pandemic.

harvey9 7y ago
I'd rather see a government order commitment. They should get cheap enough finance from the market with an order commitment.
- malandrew 7y ago
  Can you elaborate on how that would work and the pros and cons? I'm curious
  - harvey9 7y ago
    I figured if the government commits to buying 10 million units with the only proviso being that they meet quality spec that leaves the onus on the manufacturer to meet spec. My worry was that if the government is an investor then there's more risk of misaligned incentives.
- throwawaymanbot 7y ago
  I think Malandrew is trolling.
deleted 7y ago
[deleted]
timbit42 7y ago
> If there is healthcare system that has done fairly well with regard being able to provide PPE to medical staff, it's China, which suggests that the key factor is having manufacturing capability. Also Finland.
T3OU-736 7y ago
This may have been posted on HN elsewhere, but I think this is coverage of the US PPE business you mention: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/watchdog/2020/04/03/if-you-imagine-that-a-local-business-making-surgical-face-masks-is-working-247-guess-again/ https://www.dallasnews.com/news/watchdog/2020/04/03/if-you-i...