Did you read the article? It specifically quotes the new MIT research which specifically debunks the "well-documented, effective measures to reduce the risk of spreading germs."

Yes.  I also read the "About" page.

Cherry-picking is an understatement.  Calling for lawsuits at this stage against top health professionals calling for physical distancing is beyond ignorant.

IMO, there's a lot of folks trying to make parallels for analysis that isn't intended to be used that way.  For instance, it is my understanding that a lot of the guidance is based on statistics, not zero exposure.  Similar to gun statistics, people either tend to take it how they want to in order to fit their narrative as well as take observation trends and make rules about them.  In the end, context is key. . . If say a strategy is based on reducing exposure on basis of statistics to "flatten the curve", it may not necessarily jive with an approach in which say an infectious disease doctor would, especially given a context of having dealt with pathogens with much higher lethality. 

One of my best friends is an infectious disease PhD type.  Her research is actually in detection technologies, but it was interesting to see her perspectives on things when she had kids.  I would think given her background, she'd be quite protective of her kids.  But not really.  Though with CV19, her angst is mostly media and people taking things out of context and things going to the extremes, in both directions. 

Anyways, my 0.02. . .

Right on!
"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself".
I despise FDR but a stopped analog clock is right twice a day.

Nobody, even hospitals, stockpiles cases on top of cases of single-use disposable masks in quantities necessary for this kind of problem.

Storage, rotating stock, and the chance for damage and having to dispose of unused stock is always a concern.  Hospitals, like most businesses, buy things on a periodic, recurring basis.  When stock is used faster, they order more for next delivery.  When used slower, they reduce that order.  Keeping just what they think they will use during a "normally busy" period is what they will do.  If they need more, there's always a way to get them.  At least, until EVERY PERSON, HOSPITAL and BUSINESS starts buying up the entire nation's stock of masks out of panic.

Over time, these masks can start to become less effective while sitting in storage.  If they never get used, it's wasted money and resources.

Prepping is a balancing act. How much of your income do you set aside for buying stuff you will likely never use?

Hind sight is 20/20.  Maybe some smart person will invent a reusable mask that is safer and easier to use and clean than what's available now.

The police "take" others' property all the time.  It's called collecting evidence.

My issue is that hospitals have lots of money.  There are certain items that they should keep a lot of that won't break the bank.  And keep them in stock in case supply chains go down for what ever reason, or an influx of users, etc...I don't expect them to have thousands of expensive ventilators.  But protective gear like N95,face shields, etc...are cheap.  I even expect them to have a  good number of radiation suits on hand as well.  Not 1 and if they need more, then they have to order them.

This is a hospital that needs to be prepared for many disasters.  Not a restaurant who orders inventory weekly.  But even food, they should have a bunch of non-perishable food in stock to feed it's patients and staff if SHTF.  So I wouldn't call it hind sight.

If I made millions a year, I would have a ton of stuff, just in case I will need it.  But I don't make that much, so my preps are limited.  Many people bought mask starting in feb.  Why didn't the hospitals send someone with a corporate credit card to buy up what was in stock locally at Home Depot, Lowes, etc...The writing was on the wall that these mask will be needed. So it's not my fault they planned poorly.  And I hate to say it, but I will keep my PPE for myself and family.  No donations to hospitals.  I will and have gave some to friends in need.

My issue is that hospitals have lots of money.  There are certain items that they should keep a lot of that won't break the bank.  And keep them in stock in case supply chains go down for what ever reason, or an influx of users, etc...I don't expect them to have thousands of expensive ventilators.  But protective gear like N95,face shields, etc...are cheap.  I even expect them to have a  good number of radiation suits on hand as well.  Not 1 and if they need more, then they have to order them.

This is a hospital that needs to be prepared for many disasters.  Not a restaurant who orders inventory weekly.  But even food, they should have a bunch of non-perishable food in stock to feed it's patients and staff if SHTF.  So I wouldn't call it hind sight.

If I made millions a year, I would have a ton of stuff, just in case I will need it.  But I don't make that much, so my preps are limited.  Many people bought mask starting in feb.  Why didn't the hospitals send someone with a corporate credit card to buy up what was in stock locally at Home Depot, Lowes, etc...The writing was on the wall that these mask will be needed. So it's not my fault they planned poorly.  And I hate to say it, but I will keep my PPE for myself and family.  No donations to hospitals.  I will and have gave some to friends in need.

Hospitals take in AND SPEND "lots of money."  Their margins are very small.  That means they have to make choices as to where any profits are spent.

Yes, healthcare costs could be lower.  But that would not necessarily increase margins if the savings were passed on to the insured.

Would you pay an extra 30% for health insurance to go to a pandemic prep fund?

Hospitals take in AND SPEND "lots of money."  Their margins are very small.  That means they have to make choices as to where any profits are spent.

Yes, healthcare costs could be lower.  But that would not necessarily increase margins if the savings were passed on to the insured.

Would you pay an extra 30% for health insurance to go to a pandemic prep fund?

It should already be in their annual budget.  No need to add extra percentage charges.  I'll be willing to bet that after this is over, there will be an up charge for future pandemics.  If retail 1 N95 is $3, why can't they have 10,000 mask in storage.  And I'm sure they won't be paying $3 per mask either.  The mask also last for years, so if they wanted to, they could spread out the payment of that over a few years and rotate the stock first in, first out.

It should already be in their annual budget.  No need to add extra percentage charges.  I'll be willing to bet that after this is over, there will be an up charge for future pandemics.  If retail 1 N95 is $3, why can't they have 10,000 mask in storage.  And I'm sure they won't be paying $3 per mask either.  The mask also last for years, so if they wanted to, they could spread out the payment of that over a few years and rotate the stock first in, first out.

From a logistics perspective, also need to factor in the space to store all of that stuff. That’s HUGE! There’s a fine balance. It can be VERY political in the field that I work in. And that is in fights over what various groups deem essential for response. It’s complicated and you’re over simplifying based on what you think is right.

But no worries. Get plenty tin foil 

It should already be in their annual budget.  No need to add extra percentage charges.  I'll be willing to bet that after this is over, there will be an up charge for future pandemics.  If retail 1 N95 is $3, why can't they have 10,000 mask in storage.  And I'm sure they won't be paying $3 per mask either.  The mask also last for years, so if they wanted to, they could spread out the payment of that over a few years and rotate the stock first in, first out.

Is that your expert analysis?

Northwell Health is New York's largest healthcare provider.

Northwell Health uses about 20,000 N95 masks a month under normal circumstances.
Now, the system is going through about 25,000 masks a week — a rate dictated by
rationing, said spokesperson Terry Lynam.

So, your 10,000 mask "stockpile" would have lasted less than 3 days.

https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/albany/story/2020/03/31/everybodys-in-the-same-boat-coronavirus-drives-new-yorks-hospitals-to-breaking-point-1269943

From a logistics perspective, also need to factor in the space to store all of that stuff. That’s HUGE! There’s a fine balance. It can be VERY political in the field that I work in. And that is in fights over what various groups deem essential for response. It’s complicated and you’re over simplifying based on what you think is right.

But no worries. Get plenty tin foil 

After living in Hawaii, if you don't have a deeper understanding and appreciation of the sheer cost of warehouse space, then you aren't paying attention.


Masks might be able to last for years in storage, or they might not.  Many factors affect that, including materials, packaging, and environmental. Environmental controls needed to protect supplies from heat, cold, moisture, rodents, insects, people (thieves), etc.  That's a major investment in real estate, air quality control, temp control and year-round maintenance.  "Sorry.  We can't afford to fix our 2nd MRI machine because the pandemic warehouse needs new air handlers and duct work." 

Good thing tin foil needs no environmental controls.  But it is heavy if it's by the palate.

Good thing tin foil needs no environmental controls.  But it is heavy if it's by the palate.

Palate:  roof of the mouth.

Pallet:  a portable platform on which goods can be moved, stacked, and stored, especially with the aid of a forklift.

Hospitals take in AND SPEND "lots of money."  Their margins are very small.  That means they have to make choices as to where any profits are spent.

Yes, healthcare costs could be lower.  But that would not necessarily increase margins if the savings were passed on to the insured.

Would you pay an extra 30% for health insurance to go to a pandemic prep fund?

This is the reason capitalism in healthcare is a very short-sighted model.  If a hospital exists to make profit, there will be no such things as an emergency pandemic stash of supplies or rainy day fund, since all that capital would be allocated for financial investments to bring more profit to the owners of the hospital.

This situation does make sense for the investors of the hospital, but not in the best interest of the people, as evidenced today.

This is the reason capitalism in healthcare is a very short-sighted model.  If a hospital exists to make profit, there will be no such things as an emergency pandemic stash of supplies or rainy day fund, since all that capital would be allocated for financial investments to bring more profit to the owners of the hospital.

This situation does make sense for the investors of the hospital, but not in the best interest of the people, as evidenced today.

Given the fact the US is leading the rest of the nations in developing new tests for the disease that only take 5 minutes versus 5 hours, has exceeded all nations in number of people tested, and have already tested and approved the use of chloroquine phosphate to reduce the severity of the disease in those who test positive, it's a shame you don't get that the system you think is broken remains the one the rest of the world is turning to for hope.

If China had not lied about the virus in the beginning, maybe a few more weeks to a month to prepare would have made the difference.  When they say, "Nobody saw this coming," it was half right.  Nobody who could have used the time to prepare saw this coming because the Communist Chinese gov't was not transparent about the severity or human-to-human transmission.  Had that been known, we'd have reacted more quickly.

It's not the US healthcare system that's a problem.  Trump is leaning on those companies to fight this thing, because the gov't doesn't have the top scientists and resources to do that to the same degree.

Everybody is a genius AFTER the facts are out.  Holding people to a "you should have predicted all of this" standard in the middle of trying to solve the problem is counterproductive.

I don't ONLY post from them.

I just post the most interesting and relevant articles that I randomly see from around the Web.

sorry
MOSTLY
my apologies

Palate:  roof of the mouth.

Pallet:  a portable platform on which goods can be moved, stacked, and stored, especially with the aid of a forklift.

heads

when I shut my office last week Monday on the mayor's order, I donated 2 boxes of type III surgical masks, a case of gloves, a case of 4x4 gauze, a case of disposable gowns, and a case of cavicide (the cleaner you wipe surfaces with) to queen's ICU
not a real doctor type stuff, but my receptionist's daughter's boyfriend was proud to bring them in (he's an ICU nurse) and they were happy to receive them
and I brought 3 boxes of type III masks and a case of gloves to a forum member who is a firefighter/paramedic who has a pregnant wife at home...
also sent my staff home with boxes of masks, gloves, alcohol, peroxide, Lysol spray, chlorox wipes, and TP

"Given the fact the US is leading the rest of the nations in developing new tests for the disease that only take 5 minutes versus 5 hours, has exceeded all nations in number of people tested, and have already tested and approved the use of chloroquine phosphate to reduce the severity of the disease in those who test positive, it's a shame you don't get that the system you think is broken remains the one the rest of the world is turning to for hope."

First, it  is too early to tell how effective the new tests and treatments will be.  Second, the rest of the World is not waiting for America to do anything, but are trying to tackle things on their own.  Third, those nations that are waiting for the US are those who do not have the resources to anything at all.  Do you think really Spain and Italy are simply counting the dead or dying and waiting for the US to help them?  If anything, it is Russia and China that's been helping Europe recently.



"If China had not lied about the virus in the beginning, maybe a few more weeks to a month to prepare would have made the difference.  When they say, "Nobody saw this coming," it was half right.  Nobody who could have used the time to prepare saw this coming because the Communist Chinese gov't was not transparent about the severity or human-to-human transmission.  Had that been known, we'd have reacted more quickly."

I don't think China intentionally lied about anything.  If they are guilty, they are guilty of not reporting fast enough; but this may be because they, themselves, did not know what they were up against, until it was way too late for even them.



"It's not the US healthcare system that's a problem.  Trump is leaning on those companies to fight this thing, because the gov't doesn't have the top scientists and resources to do that to the same degree."

Do try to defend the incompetence of the CDC and the greed of many medical centers for their ill-preparedness.  Domestically, the US healthcare system IS directly responsible for this catastrophe. Is it not their job to have been contemplating and preparing for this kind of pandemic?

As for not having the top scientists and resources like you mentioned, maybe America's budget needs to cut back on things like its military spending and divert those funds to higher education and public health.

when I shut my office last week Monday on the mayor's order, I donated 2 boxes of type III surgical masks, a case of gloves, a case of 4x4 gauze, a case of disposable gowns, and a case of cavicide (the cleaner you wipe surfaces with) to queen's ICU
not a real doctor type stuff, but my receptionist's daughter's boyfriend was proud to bring them in (he's an ICU nurse) and they were happy to receive them
and I brought 3 boxes of type III masks and a case of gloves to a forum member who is a firefighter/paramedic who has a pregnant wife at home...
also sent my staff home with boxes of masks, gloves, alcohol, peroxide, Lysol spray, chlorox wipes, and TP

Very kind and generous of you Dr. Macsak.

I only hope others in your profession have put greed aside for the greater good.

 

Very kind and generous of you Dr. Macsak.

I only hope others in your profession have put greed aside for the greater good.

 

#notarealdoctor
I can only control what I do, I told my closest professional friends in our text group, and emailed my study club
my hygienist wanted me to issue a challenge to all dentites, but that's not my style...

#notarealdoctor

I beg to differ.

As a practicing dentist, you must possess a DDS or DMD; hence, you do command the title of doctor with all rights, duties, and privileges, thereof.   

I beg to differ.

As a practicing dentist, you must possess a DDS or DMD; hence, you do command the title of doctor with all rights, duties, and privileges, thereof.   

Phhhhhheeeewwwwww that flew right over head.

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