Reuters is reporting that eBay is stopping the sale of Tamiflu on its website. The article is sort of making a mountain out of a mole hill since according to the article, there's only one auction with 28 bids involved, but it could be indicative of things to come. A regular 10-capsule course of Tamiflu was bid up to 100 pounds (about USD $175) which is about 3 or 4 times the usual European cost. Imagine what it will cost when the first person-to-person strain becomes prevalent.

Let's not forget that no one knows what the best timing, dose, or length of treatment for the next pandemic strain will be, assuming it's even sensitive to Tamiflu. Maybe 20 capsules will be required, so anyone taking just 10 capsules may not be deriving any benefit, and would actually be contributing to drug resistance by using too short a course of meds. Already, experts think misuse/overuse of Tamiflu in Southeast Asia (where it can be obtained over-the-counter) may have contributed to the isolated Tamiflu resistant H5N1 strain found in Vietnam recently.

Anyone recall how much more expensive than normal Cipro cost on the Internet during the anthrax scare?

And...what type (brand) of respirator are we suppose to purchase to prepare for the big event?


ONE DAY CLOSER

This was answered on a Sienfeld episode.
Look for the one about Bubble Boy. <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

The CDC (Center for Disease Control) recommend NIOSH approved N95 (95% filter efficiency when subjected to a 0.3µm MMAD Sodium Chloride particle challenge) like the 3M 8210 and the folding version 9210. I want to get some folding. They sell it in boxes of 20. Whatever the brand you get, it must be NIOSH approved and should be written on the package.

But I'm not getting these for the pandemic threat. It's more for short emergencies like a terrorist attacks or accidents where there could be dusts etc. or even just for working in a dusty environment.

I mean if the virus mutates and there's a real outbreak of human to human transmission it's going to last a couple of weeks or month and you'll have to stock up on more than 20 of these disposable masks and of course it's not going to be infallible, far from it. Or you'll have to shelter-in-place for a long time...

Frankie

By answering this question, I'm NOT recommending that the average citizen stock up on masks/respirators in preparation for a pandemic. However, if I had a job that required potential contact with infected people or animals, IMHO I would want a respirator that was NIOSH N-99 or N-100 or European FFP3 certified. Just as crucial as the correct respirator is proper training, fit-testing, and periodic fit checks. Of course, other personal protective gear like gloves, aprons, coveralls, goggles, visors, etc. are also crucial if operating in a high risk situation.

The only situation where your average person would be recommended to wear a mask is if they are sick or starting to show symptoms like fever. In that case, the person should wear a surgical mask or better, if available. You want to minimize the sick person from launching millions of virus-laden droplets into the air when they cough or sneeze.

I just got a case of Tyvek coveralls with the hoods and elastic if you are interested in some. I was thinking about posting them on that online auction site, so I thought I would ask here since I saw the topic. I want to get 2 dollars each.