Coronavirus: The NHS workers wearing bin bags as protection

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.

Original Source