The shortage of sterile supplies for health workers includes those frequently changed gowns, caps and masks. These are purchased from industry and accumulate like mountains of contaminated goods to be destroyed, "safely."

As an old, retired nurse I worked in contagion during the polio crisis. Back in those "dark ages" hospitals were locally owned and autonomous. We had our own central supply, laundry and sterilizers. All gowns, caps and masks were laundered, disinfected and sterilized for reuse. In emergencies, we ran two shifts in central supply − no shortages.

Hospitals were later convinced it was cheaper to buy and throw away. They did not foresee globalization threatening supply or containmnated beaches and oceans full of their refuse.

Change is constant. But not all change is progress.

Eva Aldrich

Mystic