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Comment by ipsum2 | Hacker News Reader

I'm highly skeptical of the claim that it will pay for _all_ of SF health workers PPE needs. How many masks and gowns does $1 million buy? How long will the supplies last at the exponential growth we're seeing?

That being said, pg is amazing person for donating and an inspiration to many.

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Before the outbreak, N-95 masks used to cost 58 cents. So if it was spent on masks only, around 1.7 million masks at those prices. I don't know how many health workers SF has, but at a population of 800k and a US average of 2.6 physicians per 1000 people I'd guess it's hundreds of masks per worker.

I don't know about the costs or the currently available supply though, or what the real price increases should be due to a pinched supply chain, and I haven't been able to find any data - would appreciate pointers.

I think this could be useful to ramp up production if nothing else. But your estimate is extremely optimistic with current prices way past 58 cents.

You also need 3 masks per shift for all heathcare workers including receptionists and janitors at risk. In the worst case that may include volunteers to help cover temporary wards setup like those for the 1918 flu pandemic.

Really though this is a situation where money is not the problem.

Yeah, like I said I don't know what the current available supply is, which IIUC is the more limiting factor. I also don't know what the current prices are, and I don't know which part of it are production costs and which part is just profiteering.

And even if it's hundreds of masks per worker, I'm sure it won't last through this thing.

I have been shipping masks for the last 5 weeks. Prices I am seeing are in the $1.50 and up range

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