TRUMP: “I don’t believe you need 40,000 or 30,000 ventilators. You go into major hospitals sometimes, and they’ll have two ventilators. And now all of a sudden they’re saying, ‘Can we order 30,000 ventilators?’”
REALITY: Hospitals prepare to ration ventilators, NY doctors split ventilators between patients, saying “It’s suboptimal, but the other option is death.”
The shortages for hospitals and first responders are a direct result of Trump’s failure to take action months ago, which as a result, has deprived medical professionals of the lifesaving supplies they need. Now Trump is doubling down on his mistakes by refusing to invoke the Defense Production Act and accelerate the production of ventilators and medical gear to keep medical professionals and their patients safe.
As Trump Continues To Deny The Extensively Documented Ventilator Shortage…
Huffington Post: Trump Official Says There’s No Shortage Of Ventilators. Reports Say Otherwise
Talking Points Memo: Trump Claims NY Doesn’t Need 30K Ventilators Despite Doctors Saying So
New York Times: After Considering $1 Billion Price Tag for Ventilators, White House Has Second Thoughts
Politico: Trump Downplays Need For Ventilators As New York Begs To Differ
…Doctors And State Officials Across The Country Continue To Ring The Alarm While Hospitals Start Developing Plans To Ration Ventilators…
New York Times: ‘The Other Option Is Death’: New York Starts Sharing of Ventilators
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“‘Nobody believes this is the best way to ventilate somebody — this is for the doomsday scenario when we run out of ventilators,’ Dr. Paladino said. ‘It’s suboptimal, but the other option is death.’” [New York Times, 3/26/20]
Michigan Advance: Henry Ford Hospital Letter Leaks On Who Gets Treatment If There’s A Ventilator Shortage
Baltimore Sun: Who Gets Lifesaving Care — And Who Doesn’t — When There’s A Crush Of Coronavirus Patients? Maryland Is Coming Up With A Plan
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“Simplistically, this would mean a young, otherwise healthy person receives a ventilator instead of an older person suffering from other health problems. But choices are rarely so simple.” [Baltimore Sun, 3/27/20]
NJ Advance Media: N.J. To Create Bioethics Team To Help Make ‘Difficult’ Choice Of Which Coronavirus Patients Get A Ventilator In Case Of Shortage
Politico: New Jersey Officials Planning For Possibility Of Rationing Ventilators
Times-Picayune | New Orleans Advocate: Coronavirus Spread In Louisiana Could Mean Critical Shortage Of Ventilators
York Daily Record: Pa. Coronavirus Hospitalizations Spike Sharply Up To 170; At Least 32 Needed Ventilator
Bloomberg: NYC Mayor Says Trump Needs to Face Reality On Ventilator Crisis
The Hill: Severe Ventilator Shortage Sparks Desperate Scramble
Bloomberg: Ventilators Top Fear With N.Y. Deaths at 385, N.J. Cases Up 56%
Brooklyn Hospital Center Director Of Critical Care Services Dr. James Gasperino Warned That Patients Who Develop Coronavirus Can Often Require Two To Three Weeks On A Ventilator Because “The Intensity Level Is Higher.”
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“‘Patients with the coronavirus who develop pneumonia can often require two to three weeks on a ventilator. ‘The intensity level is higher,’ said Dr. Gasperino, who is also chair of medicine. ‘It’s harder to oxygenate than your typical flu patient who’s sick.’ He added, ‘The staff is anxious.’ So far none of the coronavirus patients requiring ventilators have recovered enough not to need one, although several younger patients were rapidly improving, he said.” [New York Times, 3/26/20]
CNBC: What The Ventilator Shortage Means For America’s Fight Against The Coronavirus
…And Frontline Medical Professionals Pay For The Shortage Of Personal Protective Equipment With Their Lives.
NBC Boston: Over 100 Employees at Boston-Area Hospitals Test Positive For Coronavirus
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“Without adequate masks, gloves, gowns and more, doctors and nurses are more likely to contract the virus themselves. Many local emergency room physicians have been forced to use the supplies sparingly. ‘Practicing medicine in this country, you don’t think of needing to ration supplies,’ said Dr. Joshua Lerner, with Wachusett Emergency Physicians at Leominster Hospital.” [NBC Boston, 3/26/20]
New York Times: A N.Y. Nurse Dies. Angry Co-Workers Blame A Lack Of Protective Gear
The Hill: Photo Shows Ny Hospital Staff Using Trash Bags As Protective Gear
KGO (San Francisco): Coronavirus impact: Medical Supply Shortage Takes Toll On Bay Area Nurses, Doctors
Nebraska Educational Telecommunications: Faced With Mask Shortages, Nebraskans Are Getting Their Sewing Machines Out