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I don't necessarily agree with OP but the degree to which the private market, without any government intervention, was able to get masks into the hands of consu

I don't necessarily agree with OP but the degree to which the private market, without any government intervention, was able to get masks into the hands of consumers across the country and world quickly was extremely impressive. I don't remember the exact timeline but there was a non-chain corner store down the street from me that was able to get masks within 3 or 4 weeks of the local shutdown. Of course it would have been much better if the federal government had started ordering masks in January and encouraging their use sooner but was still amazing to witness the invisible hand at work to an almost unseen degree.

Klinky 6y ago
It would have been more impressive if it predicted demand in advance, so they were actually available when needed. It would have been more impressive if there was a domestic source, but that no longer made economical sense in the market. It wasn't 3 - 4 weeks for many, it was months for some. Likely healthcare workers could get them within weeks, but initial supplies ran out, likely costing lives. While government should hold a strategic supply, our private healthcare system should have also put in the orders sooner. I wouldn't deem it a success at all.
- pmiller2 6y ago
  I agree with you, but I suspect you and the GP comment are referring to different things when you say "masks." I'm thinking of the N95 masks that are proven to offer pretty good protection from respiratory droplets. I believe the GP may be referring to either disposable surgical masks, or some sort of other mask that is not rated for any sort of specific protection.
  - Klinky 6y ago
    They'd have to have had their head in the sand if they didn't understand all PPEs(N95/non-N95 masks, shields, gowns) were in short/critical supply. There were also shady deals being made at high prices, and counterfeits flooding the market. Once again the market optimized for the profit of a few and not preparedness or quality of life.
    - omosubi 6y ago
      Of course I understand that there was a shortage of N95 masks but much of the government isn't setup to buy enormous quantities of stuff in a few days in a market where there a lot of bad actors. https://open.spotify.com/episode/5x8WrjXmV9RnluuHr1ZOcR?si=FiEVD9W_QmWqId0tqNHYXQ https://open.spotify.com/episode/5x8WrjXmV9RnluuHr1ZOcR?si=F... Notice that this was made April 3rd

Klinky 6y ago

It would have been more impressive if it predicted demand in advance, so they were actually available when needed. It would have been more impressive if there was a domestic source, but that no longer made economical sense in the market. It wasn't 3 - 4 weeks for many, it was months for some. Likely healthcare workers could get them within weeks, but initial supplies ran out, likely costing lives. While government should hold a strategic supply, our private healthcare system should have also put in the orders sooner. I wouldn't deem it a success at all.

pmiller2 6y ago
I agree with you, but I suspect you and the GP comment are referring to different things when you say "masks." I'm thinking of the N95 masks that are proven to offer pretty good protection from respiratory droplets. I believe the GP may be referring to either disposable surgical masks, or some sort of other mask that is not rated for any sort of specific protection.
- Klinky 6y ago
  They'd have to have had their head in the sand if they didn't understand all PPEs(N95/non-N95 masks, shields, gowns) were in short/critical supply. There were also shady deals being made at high prices, and counterfeits flooding the market. Once again the market optimized for the profit of a few and not preparedness or quality of life.
  - omosubi 6y ago
    Of course I understand that there was a shortage of N95 masks but much of the government isn't setup to buy enormous quantities of stuff in a few days in a market where there a lot of bad actors. https://open.spotify.com/episode/5x8WrjXmV9RnluuHr1ZOcR?si=FiEVD9W_QmWqId0tqNHYXQ https://open.spotify.com/episode/5x8WrjXmV9RnluuHr1ZOcR?si=F... Notice that this was made April 3rd