Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Doctors Say Shortage of Protective Gear Is Dire

nytimes.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

71–80 of 145 posts

Re: Doctors Say Shortage of Protective Gear Is Dire

#71

Post by keenmaster »

immad wrote: post #47
m3nu wrote: post #37

I do China sourcing and have decent access to 3-ply surgical masks and limited access to N95 masks. It's really hard to sell either of those to government bodies, even near cost. Already talked to the Red Cross, wholesale pharmacies and different ministries. They generally insist on payment on delivery, which we can't do for larger orders, as factories sell to whoever has the cash at the factory gate. Some also want…

Can you email me (email in profile) and I can connect you to some people in the US trying to solve this.

Why don't they just charge a higher price to buyers who don't pay cash now? I understand there is a lot of demand, but this does not compute with me. My spidey senses would be going off.

Re: Doctors Say Shortage of Protective Gear Is Dire

#73

Post by m0zg »

wbl wrote: post #67
oezi wrote: post #64

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But can this be done without abandoning capitalism as a primary driving economic model? It would require a reversal in economic steering (tariffs, government intervention, etc) of enormous scale. The only thing that has come to matter is the hunt to squeeze every penny, we have forgotten to do anything else.

Tariffs result in domestic industries that can't compete. Germany has an export oriented manufacturing sector that employs lots of people and the US doesn't not because of Chins but because of US management.

Lack of tariffs results in no domestic industries at all.

Re: Doctors Say Shortage of Protective Gear Is Dire

#74

Post by cycrutchfield »

systemvoltage wrote: post #39

Let this be a lesson to learn for western democracies to not put all of their eggs in one basket. Diversification, localization and strategic globalization of the supply chain should be at the forefront of the issues to be discussed, ratified and acted upon after this pandemic is over. When one country manufactures 90% of world's goods (not accurate, to make a point), while the top 1% gets their bonuses for increasin…

Strategic stockpiles seem much more cost effective than autarky.

Re: Doctors Say Shortage of Protective Gear Is Dire

#75

Post by eigenvalue »

Chinese n95 masks are available very cheaply on Ali-Express from a variety of sellers who can ship by airmail. I don’t see why doctors/nurses shouldn’t order them personally if they can’t get them from work. For example: US $10.09 20％ Off | 10PCS Disposable KN95 Mask FFP2 Protective Mask Safety Masks 99％ Filtration for Dust Particulate Pollution N95 Protection

https://a.aliexpress.com/_dSIOgZ3

Re: Doctors Say Shortage of Protective Gear Is Dire

#76

Post by rhegart »

diabeetusman wrote: post #65
rhegart wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This. There are barely any covid 19 patients yet hospitals are low on masks due to panic. Beds are still open and ventilators contrary to media claims are not currently on a shortage.

There are also not nearly as many tests being run as there are patients with suspect symptoms. Yes, the number of confirmed COVID-19 patients may be low, but that doesn't mean that the number of people with the disease is low. According to the CDC[1], you can contact your healthcare provider for the possibility of a test if (and only if) you are in close contact with someone with the disease or if you're in a communi…

True but maybe 1% of those need respirators and those that do need them regardless of testing are currently getting them. Due to current measures no one is dying due to a shortage of medical equipment in the US.

That said, we must manufacture medical equipment for pandemics locally or have a reserve like oil.

Re: Doctors Say Shortage of Protective Gear Is Dire

#77

Post by theslurmmustflo »

cycrutchfield wrote: post #74
systemvoltage wrote: post #39

Let this be a lesson to learn for western democracies to not put all of their eggs in one basket. Diversification, localization and strategic globalization of the supply chain should be at the forefront of the issues to be discussed, ratified and acted upon after this pandemic is over. When one country manufactures 90% of world's goods (not accurate, to make a point), while the top 1% gets their bonuses for increasin…

Strategic stockpiles seem much more cost effective than autarky.

What if you go to war or the other country chooses to impose economic sanctions?

Re: Doctors Say Shortage of Protective Gear Is Dire

#78

Post by godzillabrennus »

cycrutchfield wrote: post #74
systemvoltage wrote: post #39

Let this be a lesson to learn for western democracies to not put all of their eggs in one basket. Diversification, localization and strategic globalization of the supply chain should be at the forefront of the issues to be discussed, ratified and acted upon after this pandemic is over. When one country manufactures 90% of world's goods (not accurate, to make a point), while the top 1% gets their bonuses for increasin…

Strategic stockpiles seem much more cost effective than autarky.

Yeah, seems like a more realistic approach than trying to bring back jobs from the developing world.

Re: Doctors Say Shortage of Protective Gear Is Dire

#79

Post by Retric »

Aeolun wrote: post #32
DoofusOfDeath wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Again severe failure on the govt’s part. If you live in a democracy, then you are part of the government. You can't just blame other people for this.

Depends on who you voted for. 49% of the people that voted are in a perfect position to blame others. Not that I think it would have really mattered. All the western countries were struck by surprise it seems, even though they had months to prepare.

I think it’s largely to soon to judge countries on this issue. In my mind the outliers are:

South Korea, as they had much better testing than China and new infections have been increasing at ~1% per day for the last week. It’s still early, but it’s a very promising sign.

Finland on the other hand had it’s first diagnosis on February 26th and closed all schools etc on March 16. That’s an unusually rapid response, though it’s to soon to say how effective it is.

PS: At least in the US it’s rare for the the people in power to actually get even 50% of the vote. But, I think we can safely blame non voters just fine.

Re: Doctors Say Shortage of Protective Gear Is Dire

#80

Post by systemvoltage »

oezi wrote: post #64
systemvoltage wrote: post #39

Let this be a lesson to learn for western democracies to not put all of their eggs in one basket. Diversification, localization and strategic globalization of the supply chain should be at the forefront of the issues to be discussed, ratified and acted upon after this pandemic is over. When one country manufactures 90% of world's goods (not accurate, to make a point), while the top 1% gets their bonuses for increasin…

But can this be done without abandoning capitalism as a primary driving economic model? It would require a reversal in economic steering (tariffs, government intervention, etc) of enormous scale. The only thing that has come to matter is the hunt to squeeze every penny, we have forgotten to do anything else.

I don't have a good answer. First and foremost, the shipping rates for consumer goods from China is outrageously low. People buying from Germany to Australia to USA - $2 shipped PCBs and $4 toys shipped - all have one thing in common: Shipping cost is highly subsized because of this treaty - https://www.vox.com/2018/10/19/17996378/trump-china-universa...

Specifcally, the problem is the Universal Postal Union: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Postal_Union

Locally made goods can benefit from some tax breaks and government subsidies as well, but the aforementioned problem needs to be resolved. Alas, it won't be because executives keep lobbying and paying off key decision makers.

The whole thing is corrupt. I don't agree with President Trump on majority of things, but I try to not let bias triumph over logic, pragmatism and rational ideas; no matter who is pushing them.

Post reply on HN