If COVID taught us anything, the government is going to let these drugs expire useless, incinerate them, refuse to replenish them, and import loads of fakes when an actual crisis hits.
Snark aside, this may not be the case this time around. Relevant snippet:
> 2004 Project Bioshield Act and $290 million in Project BioShield designated funding to purchase this supply of the drug. Amgen will maintain this supply in vendor-managed inventory. This approach decreases life-cycle management costs for taxpayers because doses that near expiration can be rotated into the commercial market for rapid use prior to expiry and new doses can be added to the government supply.
I'm guessing $290M covers both the cost of the drugs as well as storage for some number of years. Would be nice to know for how long.
> If COVID taught us anything, the government is going to let these drugs expire useless, incinerate them, refuse to replenish them, and import loads of fakes when an actual crisis hits.
That’s a very weird take on this. So what should the government do in your opinion? Launch some nukes preemptively just so people could say “oh, at least we didn’t waste those anti-radiation medicines! we caused nuclear conflict, but who cares, drugs didn’t expire”?
Considering that the adversary is shifting their strategic bombers, sent their biggest sub with nuclear torpedoes into the sea, and the nuclear train is on the move towards Ukraine, this sounds like a good idea, no?
You quoted the important part. Specifically, this paragraph negates your post.
> 2004 Project Bioshield Act and $290 million in Project BioShield designated funding to purchase this supply of the drug. Amgen will maintain this supply in vendor-managed inventory. This approach decreases life-cycle management costs for taxpayers because doses that near expiration can be rotated into the commercial market for rapid use prior to expiry and new doses can be added to the government supply.
Read it carefully. Doses that approach expiration will be rotated into the commercial market and replenished with fresh doses.
There is very little cost to the supplier in doing that. They get to sell a healthy dose of medication for full retail value and the government always has a fresh, healthy supply. FIFO (First in, first out).
Most companies try to reduce the value of the products they have on hand to save in taxes and keep their operation lean. The government is basically stepping in and saying "We will make it worth your while to keep a bunch of this on hand. Just guarantee me X number of fresh doses and we're happy."
To be fair, California's government required companies to have n95s to deal with wildfire smoke. Those masks were readily available and deployed during covid. It's not always doom and gloom.
Next time your preferred party (whichever one it may be) is looking to cut spending, just remember that everything looks necessary. Then someone gets appointed "to make the tough choices", and we're back at square one.
Drugs in pill form don't really expire, they just lose efficacy.
And if stored well it takes a long time.
I cant find it right now but someone found some pills that had been stored like 50 years in sealed containers and testing for the activr ingredient showed they were still like 80% or more good.
> If COVID taught us anything, the government is going to let these drugs expire useless, incinerate them, refuse to replenish them, and import loads of fakes when an actual crisis hits.
What are you referring to? The US vaccine development, production, and distribution went quite well, all things considered. I remember the loudest complaint being that we weren’t giving away enough of our supply to other countries.
> If COVID taught us anything, when an actual crisis hits.
To be fair, nuclear crisis is not at all like COVID. It's one of those things that you can kinda see coming on the horizon. It's increasingly unlikely that, aside from a small scale nuclear attack, nuclear war will spring up without tons of advanced warning; for example, in the forms of degenerating relations between nuclear powers, and saber-rattling. Spending money on up-keep for these drugs isn't the best use of funds, and should only be done during periods of high tension.
And yes, as a society, our preparation for a COVID-like event was weak (in the US, in no small part due to Trump's efforts to reverse Obama-era preparations).
I carry a pack of KI in my EDC backpack and a second in my checked luggage. I figure with the amount of travel I do, my odds of having "shit pop off" when I'm traveling are pretty high (rather, the odds of it happening are low (<1%/yr, even this year), but if it is happening, it will most likely happen during travel/away from home). I've got an AirBoss gas mask, bug out bag, firearm, 2 weeks of food, 4 weeks of water cached (or more) in a few client offices around the US.
You have multiple guns at client offices? Also you live in Puerto Rico? If you want to be safe during a crisis event, moving out of Puerto Rico is probably way more important than all this role playing you seem to be doing.
I'm appalled after decades of massive anti nuclear war protests and shuttle diplomacy that our 'leaders' are now almost casually sliding into the abyss of nuclear wars
Attacking a much smaller neighboring country and failing so miserably that they have to start making nuclear threats is hardly casual. That's a professional-tier fuckup. Given the apparently irrational decision making that's going on in this situation, we can only prepare in whatever ways we can.
The sentiment is understandable but probably has nothing to do with the story. The US routinely buys these kinds of drugs for preparedness programs, has done so long before Ukraine was an issue, and planned this specific acquisition last year, when the drug in question was approved for the purpose.
I'm guessing that in Putin's world view, what happens to the world after he dies is truly irrelevant. I.e., what he experiences is all that really matters, and he expects simple oblivion upon death.
If that's his perspective, then we all might just be NPCs to him.
I'm not excited about someone with little time to live, and existential dread / nihilism, having nukes.
Edit: This is pure speculation on my part. I have no reliable info on Putin's worldview.
The second worst outcome is teaching Putin - and all other nuclear armed authoritarian governments - that all you need to do is threaten usage of nuclear weapons and you get what you demand. Within months China will demand Taiwan be handed over under threat of nuclear attack. Maybe eventually they'll demand the same of Australia - easy to do if you want the resources and know that threat of nukes gets you a country handed on a platter.
What do you propose can be done to resolve this?
Probably China and India are the only parties now able to influence Putin to back down.
We failed to contain Putin in any of his previous assaults and now here we are. Our options are to continue to reward an aggressive tyrant or stand up to him. You are free to believe that Putin will become satisfied with some level of territory and influence but history provides ample evidence that Putin will not stop.
It's also telling to read the top two tone-deaf comments here on HN talking about preparedness as if one is going on a fishing expedition instead of addressing the elephant in the room that is potential nuclear war.
Nplate was apparently only approved for this purpose last year, and HHS has been talking about acquiring it since then. That might be the whole story here.
If you Google around, you'll find HHS documents from 2021 talking about this allocation.
My take on the current situation as someone who's watched the conflict since 2014 (both professionally and casually):
Russia's nuclear weapons arsenal is serving its intended purpose right now: Scaring Westerners. If you listen to Putin's speeches, he's been remarkably consistent. He cares about Russia's place in the world, addressing how it's not treated as an equal partner (by his and other Russians' measure), the desire for a multipolar world, and general nationalistic sentiments.
Nuclear threats raise the ambient level of seriousness with which the general Western public, and by extension its governments, must take Russia. Getting that benefit only costs vocalizing the occasional reminder. So, from a game theoretic perspective, it makes sense to do so. Those purposes aren't served by actually using nuclear weapons.
A side question: how does one plan urban surviving? I'm sure even a nuclear war won't wipe out any of the major governments out there so stability would be re-established maybe in a few weeks. But the initial chaos could be deadly to whoever survived the initial blast.
KI and Prussian blue (both in measured capsule form) are a standard part of my first aid kit. I don't see anything alarming about HHS being prepared; quite the opposite.
My tinfoil hat spider sense is tingling with this. If the government wanted 250 mil of anti nuke meds don’t you think they’d keep that quiet? So they are publishing this for… some purpose, but I can’t imagine why. Just to cover bases? Just to share news? To drive stock? To scare the public? The list goes on. Someone help me understand the logic behind this maneuver.
Putin is definitely going to do something when he feels cornered, who is going to stop him? He's already had everyone against him pushed off buildings.
[+] [-] dereg|3 years ago|reply
Snark aside, this may not be the case this time around. Relevant snippet:
> 2004 Project Bioshield Act and $290 million in Project BioShield designated funding to purchase this supply of the drug. Amgen will maintain this supply in vendor-managed inventory. This approach decreases life-cycle management costs for taxpayers because doses that near expiration can be rotated into the commercial market for rapid use prior to expiry and new doses can be added to the government supply.
I'm guessing $290M covers both the cost of the drugs as well as storage for some number of years. Would be nice to know for how long.
[+] [-] rad_gruchalski|3 years ago|reply
That’s a very weird take on this. So what should the government do in your opinion? Launch some nukes preemptively just so people could say “oh, at least we didn’t waste those anti-radiation medicines! we caused nuclear conflict, but who cares, drugs didn’t expire”?
Considering that the adversary is shifting their strategic bombers, sent their biggest sub with nuclear torpedoes into the sea, and the nuclear train is on the move towards Ukraine, this sounds like a good idea, no?
[+] [-] zelon88|3 years ago|reply
> 2004 Project Bioshield Act and $290 million in Project BioShield designated funding to purchase this supply of the drug. Amgen will maintain this supply in vendor-managed inventory. This approach decreases life-cycle management costs for taxpayers because doses that near expiration can be rotated into the commercial market for rapid use prior to expiry and new doses can be added to the government supply.
Read it carefully. Doses that approach expiration will be rotated into the commercial market and replenished with fresh doses.
There is very little cost to the supplier in doing that. They get to sell a healthy dose of medication for full retail value and the government always has a fresh, healthy supply. FIFO (First in, first out).
Most companies try to reduce the value of the products they have on hand to save in taxes and keep their operation lean. The government is basically stepping in and saying "We will make it worth your while to keep a bunch of this on hand. Just guarantee me X number of fresh doses and we're happy."
[+] [-] bushbaba|3 years ago|reply
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/25/apple-and-facebook-face-mask...
[+] [-] yieldcrv|3 years ago|reply
[+] [-] phaedrix|3 years ago|reply
[+] [-] kube-system|3 years ago|reply
[+] [-] PragmaticPulp|3 years ago|reply
What are you referring to? The US vaccine development, production, and distribution went quite well, all things considered. I remember the loudest complaint being that we weren’t giving away enough of our supply to other countries.
[+] [-] golergka|3 years ago|reply
[+] [-] parker_mountain|3 years ago|reply
To be fair, nuclear crisis is not at all like COVID. It's one of those things that you can kinda see coming on the horizon. It's increasingly unlikely that, aside from a small scale nuclear attack, nuclear war will spring up without tons of advanced warning; for example, in the forms of degenerating relations between nuclear powers, and saber-rattling. Spending money on up-keep for these drugs isn't the best use of funds, and should only be done during periods of high tension.
And yes, as a society, our preparation for a COVID-like event was weak (in the US, in no small part due to Trump's efforts to reverse Obama-era preparations).
[+] [-] kyleblarson|3 years ago|reply
[+] [-] rdl|3 years ago|reply
[+] [-] vasco|3 years ago|reply
[+] [-] exabrial|3 years ago|reply
[+] [-] VectorLock|3 years ago|reply
If I had an office and my contractor had a little stash like that I'd think it was kind of weird.
[+] [-] maxerickson|3 years ago|reply
https://www.fda.gov/drugs/bioterrorism-and-drug-preparedness...
[+] [-] currenciessfe|3 years ago|reply
[+] [-] c7DJTLrn|3 years ago|reply
[+] [-] gilbetron|3 years ago|reply
[+] [-] TedDoesntTalk|3 years ago|reply
[+] [-] issung|3 years ago|reply
[+] [-] resuresu|3 years ago|reply
[+] [-] captainredbeard|3 years ago|reply
[+] [-] misiti3780|3 years ago|reply
[+] [-] olivermarks|3 years ago|reply
[+] [-] bee_rider|3 years ago|reply
[+] [-] tptacek|3 years ago|reply
[+] [-] stickfigure|3 years ago|reply
[+] [-] CoastalCoder|3 years ago|reply
If that's his perspective, then we all might just be NPCs to him.
I'm not excited about someone with little time to live, and existential dread / nihilism, having nukes.
Edit: This is pure speculation on my part. I have no reliable info on Putin's worldview.
[+] [-] andrewstuart|3 years ago|reply
The second worst outcome is teaching Putin - and all other nuclear armed authoritarian governments - that all you need to do is threaten usage of nuclear weapons and you get what you demand. Within months China will demand Taiwan be handed over under threat of nuclear attack. Maybe eventually they'll demand the same of Australia - easy to do if you want the resources and know that threat of nukes gets you a country handed on a platter.
What do you propose can be done to resolve this?
Probably China and India are the only parties now able to influence Putin to back down.
[+] [-] 01100011|3 years ago|reply
[+] [-] soheil|3 years ago|reply
[+] [-] tptacek|3 years ago|reply
If you Google around, you'll find HHS documents from 2021 talking about this allocation.
[+] [-] lame-robot-hoax|3 years ago|reply
It looks like they may traditionally buy these types of drugs around this time of the year. Here’s one from 6 years ago.
[+] [-] verelo|3 years ago|reply
[+] [-] doodlesdev|3 years ago|reply
[+] [-] bm3719|3 years ago|reply
Russia's nuclear weapons arsenal is serving its intended purpose right now: Scaring Westerners. If you listen to Putin's speeches, he's been remarkably consistent. He cares about Russia's place in the world, addressing how it's not treated as an equal partner (by his and other Russians' measure), the desire for a multipolar world, and general nationalistic sentiments.
Nuclear threats raise the ambient level of seriousness with which the general Western public, and by extension its governments, must take Russia. Getting that benefit only costs vocalizing the occasional reminder. So, from a game theoretic perspective, it makes sense to do so. Those purposes aren't served by actually using nuclear weapons.
[+] [-] diebeforei485|3 years ago|reply
If you're curious about building a kit, I'd consult sf72.org if you're in the Bay Area.
[+] [-] donohoe|3 years ago|reply
[+] [-] markus_zhang|3 years ago|reply
Does anyone know where to hide if sirens sound?
[+] [-] User23|3 years ago|reply
[+] [-] amelius|3 years ago|reply
[+] [-] ninefathom|3 years ago|reply
[+] [-] whalesalad|3 years ago|reply
[+] [-] unknown|3 years ago|reply
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[+] [-] unknown|3 years ago|reply
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[+] [-] rdtwo|3 years ago|reply
[+] [-] ck2|3 years ago|reply
Congress has its own nuclear winter resort for billions of dollars.
We know that because of the one they retired/declassified, so you can be sure there is a new one for 100 times the price
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Greenbrier
Putin is definitely going to do something when he feels cornered, who is going to stop him? He's already had everyone against him pushed off buildings.
[+] [-] graderjs|3 years ago|reply
The price for Romiplostim (nplate) is around 8000 - 12000 USD.
[+] [-] ekianjo|3 years ago|reply