[DannyTN]

"This means they have very little extra of anything. They only get what they need for the number of patients they expect to have, plus just a little bit. Then, if say one hospital gets a few unexpected extra patients, all needing the same thing, say an antibiotic, they have to borrow supplies from other hospitals who have a little extra."

Yeah, it's a great way to run a tire company. Not so great for hospitals. I think we should have a strategic reserve of both hospital rooms and equipment like respirators.

Hospital rooms reserve has to be community level. And my guess is that most communities have some facility they could convert to hospital rooms if they had to. I don't know, maybe pick a hotel, and upgrade the ventilation systems for it. Use it in an emergency.

Equipment could be a national reserve. Buy in mass to keep the costs low and stick them in a warehouse.

[editor-surveyor]

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>> “And my guess is that most communities have some facility they could convert to hospital rooms if they had to. I don’t know, maybe pick a hotel, and upgrade the ventilation systems for it. Use it in an emergency.” <<

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That cannot be done here in California due to the requirement that the buildings meet certain siesmic standards, among other things.