1. Scarcity and the H1N1 Virus

2. Background
In 2009 a mini-epidemic of “swine-flu” broke out across the country
Swine flu is a severe form of flu that combines a mix of several viruses
The symptoms are similar to regular flu, just much more severe
The news began reporting deaths from swine flu in September, which signaled a flurry of people wanting the H1N1 vaccine

3. Problem?
The production of the H1N1 vaccine had been significantly delayed for multiple reasons
Only 14% of the orders of the vaccine were being filled at one point
In several places riots broke out at health clinics where people were told there was not enough

4. Problem?
The FDA eventually released a statement saying that while the disease was dangerous for everyone, it was MOST dangerous to the following groups:
Pregnant women, people living with or caring for infants, emergency medical personnel and healthcare workers, children and young adults from 6 months to 24 years and any adult with chronic medical conditions

5. Task Pt. 1
You are the manager of a local health clinic. You have 3 doses of the H1N1 vaccine left. The following 9 people come to you for help, to which 3 will you give the vaccine?

6. Who gets the vaccine?
Jake, a 45 year old widowed male with 3 young children at home. He is willing to pay triple your price
Kelly, a divorced 35 year old mother of 2 middle school-aged children who works two jobs to make ends meet
Monique, a 75 year old female who has lived in this community all her life with government health insurance
Fred, a 45 year old former olympic gold medalist with a heart condition who does much charity for the community, but has very little money
Tiara, a 2 year old who easily contracts colds and sickness
Brooke, a 35 year-old mother of 3 who is 4 months pregnant
Jo, a 29 year old healthy EMT who actually helped save your grandmother’s life last year
Tyrone, an 18 year old track star with a full ride scholarship to a major university
Arthur, a 85 year old retired military veteran who recently suffered a stroke, but is recovering

7. How to allocate resources
Price
Arbitrary characteristic (age, merit, height)
Majority Rule
Competition
Force
Sharing
Lottery
Command/Dictator
First-come, first-served

8. Who gets the vaccine?
Jake, a 45 year old widowed male with 3 young children at home. He is willing to pay triple your price
Kelly, a divorced 35 year old mother of 2 middle school-aged children who works two jobs to make ends meet
Monique, a 75 year old female who has lived in this community all her life with government health insurance
Fred, a 45 year old former olympic gold medalist with a heart condition who does much charity for the community, but has very little money
Tiara, a 2 year old who easily contracts colds and sickness
Brooke, a 35 year-old mother of 3 who is 4 months pregnant
Jo, a 29 year old healthy EMT who actually helped save your grandmother’s life last year
Tyrone, an 18 year old track star with a full ride scholarship to a major university
Arthur, a 85 year old retired military veteran who recently suffered a stroke, but is recovering

9. Task Pt. 2
For EACH of the 9 things, list two BENEFITS of allocating goods in that way, AND two drawbacks
Price
Arbitrary characteristic (age, merit, height)
Majority Rule (vote)
Competition
Force
Sharing
Lottery (random)
Command/Dictator
First-come, first-served