While these cited reports are making me increasingly depressed and my attitude to most Govt ministers is generally such that if offered the choice I would take a kilo of bat droppings over any number of their promises, I have to at least defend the Australian health officials in this instance.
The pandemic planners have decided to drop a load of antivirals (if any are left) into the sight of an outbreak to damp it down by treating close contacts of affected patients (in addition to all those who have to interact with them professionally). My pessimistic side however has concluded that if there is an outbreak in the next 2 years then we will be overwhelmed because supplies of everything will be too short. The longer we stave off an outbreak obviously the better but for all our sakes lets hope it is at least 2-3 years away.
One thing seems increasingly clear and that is that those who know are becoming increasingly worried. As the NZ official said, you may need antivirals for months and that is why there will be none available in pharmacies perhaps until the end of the decade as each essential services person will use up at least 12 courses in a short outbreak. Of course it may need longer to get vaccination levels to the point where the outbreak is curtailed but count on at least 3 months and possibly six.
BTA Price at posting:
0.0¢ Sentiment: None Disclosure: Not Held
