[Dysart]

FYI: I'm a middleman in the healthcare supply business. Today, I attempted to place a routine order for surgical masks. I was told by the mfg. that they were currently running 6-month backorders, minimum! I tried to ascertain just who had been buying them up but they weren't forthcoming at all.

I've been halfway expecting this. It seems to me the utility of these masks in preventing transmission is still questionable. Let's hope there isn't a pressing need for mass qtys as they may not be readily available.

[aristeides]

China raises SARS death toll, WHO studies possible animal link to disease.

If SARS is not airborne, I don't think masks will do much good. And SARS does seem at the least not predominantly airborne.