Do you need a mask?

I was speaking to a supplier of FFP3 masks today and he was telling me how there is a major log jam building with the supply of protective equipment for H1N1 now that the pandemic is spreading and case numbers are increasing.

He was advising that 3M are only supplying the same number of masks to clients as previously ordered before Swine Flu which is limiting supply and that many government and public sector clients are insisting on the 3M branded products – probably because they haven’t looked at the alternatives.

There is also a growing shortage of precursor materials (eg filtration cloth) that have been approved for use in the masks – as you will be aware the masks, manufacturing process and suppliers need to pass various stringent tests to qualify for EN 149:2001 etc – which is also putting pressure on the supply chain.

My contact was telling me about foreign government orders of several hundred thousand with backlogs of 8 weeks and other orders for several million masks in the pipeline.

With the vaccine likely to arrive in small quantities only and after the localised epidemics due to hit UK toward the end of August it is already beginning to look rather late in the day for companies to order personal protective equipment (PPE) for their staff.  Particularly when you then factor in the testing kit and training/testing required before issue.

In light of this, my wife (who is a school nurse) and others are taking independent action to protect themselves and their families in case the virus takes a turn for the worse and people start to die in greater numbers.

We’ll probably buy a couple of boxes of FFP3 masks (15 to a box) for each of the family so that we can continue to attend school and work as well as do the weekly shop and travel on public transport.

One of the kids has had open heart surgery so we need to minimise the chances of them getting the bug – even if it is relatively mild so far.

Drop me a line if you are interested in securing some masks for your company or family and I will try to get you a supply before the end of July 2009.

Meanwhile, the message remains the same: catch it, kill it, bin it and keep washing hands and hard surfaces to minimise the spread of the virus in the home, school and workplace.  Everywhere else – keep you hands in your pockets!

@Veterus