[magnus]

We got a pulse ox from Amazon first week of March.  Plenty of options/models.   Prices seemed reasonable.  2 weeks later,  went online to look for one for relatives and prices had jumped 25-50% and fewer options.   Checked again last week and still in shorter supply. 

On the other hand,  i just recently learned that newer Samsung Galaxies and i think Iphones can measure oxygen saturation (though not sure how accurately,  probably good enough for rough estimate), so many might already have one. 

BTW, i think most hospitals in the US are far from overburdened.  Many are under self/government imposed restrictions,  rightly so,  just in case a surge happens but unless you're in one of the outbreak areas,  there are probably many doctors with possibly nothing to do.

[magnus]

We got a pulse ox from Amazon first week of March.  Plenty of options/models.   Prices seemed reasonable.  2 weeks later,  went online to look for one for relatives and prices had jumped 25-50% and fewer options.   Checked again last week and still in shorter supply. 

On the other hand,  i just recently learned that newer Samsung Galaxies and i think Iphones can measure oxygen saturation (though not sure how accurately,  probably good enough for rough estimate), so many might already have one. 

BTW, i think most hospitals in the US are far from overburdened.  Many are under self/government imposed restrictions,  rightly so,  just in case a surge happens but unless you're in one of the outbreak areas,  there are probably many doctors with possibly nothing to do.