Disturbing Statistic..

oramar · Aug 5, 2009

I wonder, if the virus blows up big in the fall (it might not), if this could turn into the next public outrage like we saw after Hurricane Katrina.
Here's what I'm getting at: In a severe pandemic, we wouldn't have enough ventilators for the patients who need to be on vents. People would die. The public would be outraged that we knew a pandemic flu was coming, and there was little public health preparation for having enough ventilators and that the US government relied upon private hospitals to have enough ventilators on hand in the event of a pandemic flu. I know I'm lining up quite a few "ifs" here, but I could certainly see public outrage that would go on for years related to not having enough ventilators and relying on private hospitals to manage public health crises.

You are reading my mind. No matter how mild the virus is the sheer number of cases will test the medical system. We have no NH like the UK to make centralized decisions. We are relying on a very decentralized system to do the right things. Some of them are so focused on their falling revenues that they have done nothing to get ready, they are laying off staff not hiring, they certainly are not buying equipment. Others have done a better job of preparing and are taking steps. It is very hit and miss. I think there could be a post Katrina like public back lash, very high probability of a lot of anger. In a normal flu season you would divert vents to the young from the old. It won't be that way. You will be asking, should the 6 year old get the vent, should the 10 year old or should the 12 year old. Which child will live, which child will die? What about these pregnant women, which one should get the vent? I am glad I am not the one to be making those decisions. People are going to be mad as hell and looking for someone to blame. After raking the bedside HCW over the coals their next target will be politicians and CEOs. The melt down is so close, possibly weeks, 2 months at most.