2StgTurbine

It just isn't feasible. Making a vaccine requires specialized equipment. Saying "just ramp up production now" is the same as telling Boeing to just make more 777s. It takes months to build these facilities. Most of the manufacturers are private companies. Who is going to provide the financing? When everyone gets vaccinated in a couple of years, what are these companies going to do with these facilitates once there is no more demand?

And doing productions in parallel with trials is also very risky. Again, it is like starting a production line up while and aircraft is still being designed. A large percentage of vaccines fail during the initial testing. I'm not saying they won't/shouldn't start production while still testing, but who is going to pay the bill when they find out 2 months into production that the vaccine failed human trials or what if COVID-19 mutates?

CRJJ

Keep in mind Italy is already on the other side of the curve, it took like a month and thousands of deaths. They've been the worst case scenario so far, so it's really up to as a society to learn from other countries' mistakes and make the right decisions.
New York is completely out of control.
With that being said, if Majors need to hold in there in order to get federal aid....by the time that happens, situation could've changed completely. Will the economy be destroyed at that point? that I don't know.

rickair7777

I used to work in that industry... they already have large-scale vaccine production systems, especially for the flu. Might have to prioritize COVID over flu this summer? Flu risk might be mitigated by social distancing.

They should also obviously start ramping up whatever additional production facilities are needed... Ford is making medical ICU equipment out of F-150 parts, I'm sure they can figure something out.

We can do what we need to do, we DON'T have to accept the standard bureaucratic salutation: "The answer's No, now what's the question?"

2StgTurbine

From what I've read, each production facility is highly specialized. Modifying one facility to make a different vaccine takes time and that can't be done until they actually create a working vaccine. And then it still comes down to who will pay for this. Private companies aren't going to take a huge financial risk by stopping production of their current vaccine (which would involve breaking contracts) in order to start producing a vaccine that is still being tested.

Gone Flying

I'm gonna guess there will be PLENTY of demand for this one to offset any costs. if the vaccine exists now they can begin modifying plants now so that is done if/when this is approved. they make this for 8 weeks get a bulk supply out there then return to their normal production.

ZR29907

today unfortunately.

..filler..

rickair7777

The fed will have to force the issue, which they can do. They already have a vaccine, so they know what they need to do to mfg it.

2StgTurbine

Says who? The only articles I found say that there is a investigational vaccine. Sometimes it can sake several investigational vaccine trials before they find one that really works.

propellere

Who will be the first to furlough? (TSA/compass don’t count) I hear people say that the airlines are holding out for stimulus, and ineligible if they furlough.

I just saw 120 new hire ground/ramp personnel at DFW get terminated and escorted out yesterday. Sad :/

normalpilot

Commutair just furloughed 250 pilots