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“We are set on a path that looks disastrous”: Alabama hospitals near collapse

arstechnica.com

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Re: “We are set on a path that looks disastrous”: Alabama hospitals near collapse

#11

Post by hasperdi »

ryan_j_naughton wrote: post #8

Given that rationing care is inevitable, it's time to start prioritizing vaccinated individuals, those unable to get vaccinated, and non-COVID patients when doing triage and allocating ICU beds. If individuals refuse to get vaccinated, they are increasing the chances that if I get into a car accident I don't get care. This is literally the definition of a negative externality, and it's very easy to internalize this e…

You have a valid point but were down voted because people here expect to read a socially acceptable comment.

I agree, as a society we need to grow up a bit and be more responsible towards each other.

Re: “We are set on a path that looks disastrous”: Alabama hospitals near collapse

#12

Post by [deleted] »

ryan_j_naughton wrote: post #8

Given that rationing care is inevitable, it's time to start prioritizing vaccinated individuals, those unable to get vaccinated, and non-COVID patients when doing triage and allocating ICU beds. If individuals refuse to get vaccinated, they are increasing the chances that if I get into a car accident I don't get care. This is literally the definition of a negative externality, and it's very easy to internalize this e…

[deleted]

Re: “We are set on a path that looks disastrous”: Alabama hospitals near collapse

#14

Post by mikecoles »

ryan_j_naughton wrote: post #8

Given that rationing care is inevitable, it's time to start prioritizing vaccinated individuals, those unable to get vaccinated, and non-COVID patients when doing triage and allocating ICU beds. If individuals refuse to get vaccinated, they are increasing the chances that if I get into a car accident I don't get care. This is literally the definition of a negative externality, and it's very easy to internalize this e…

The poor decisions people make in every other portion of their lives in overlooked for social services. Why start here?

Re: “We are set on a path that looks disastrous”: Alabama hospitals near collapse

#15

Post by lucasyvas »

ryan_j_naughton wrote: post #8

Given that rationing care is inevitable, it's time to start prioritizing vaccinated individuals, those unable to get vaccinated, and non-COVID patients when doing triage and allocating ICU beds. If individuals refuse to get vaccinated, they are increasing the chances that if I get into a car accident I don't get care. This is literally the definition of a negative externality, and it's very easy to internalize this e…

Completely correct. An adult should assume the responsibility of their own actions.

Nobody wants anyone to die here, but if something is preventable and you don't make the effort, then don't expect the rest of society to bend over backwards.

Re: “We are set on a path that looks disastrous”: Alabama hospitals near collapse

#16

Post by nradov »

ryan_j_naughton wrote: post #8

Given that rationing care is inevitable, it's time to start prioritizing vaccinated individuals, those unable to get vaccinated, and non-COVID patients when doing triage and allocating ICU beds. If individuals refuse to get vaccinated, they are increasing the chances that if I get into a car accident I don't get care. This is literally the definition of a negative externality, and it's very easy to internalize this e…

And if you were driving even 1 mph over the speed limit when you got into that car accident then the hospital should kick you out of the ICU, right? After all it's your own fault for engaging in risky behavior. Then next we can kick out any HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C patients who were infected through unprotected sex or sharing needles. Etc.

Due to the EMTALA hospitals with emergency rooms are legally required to treat all patients at least until they are stabilized. So hospitals that discriminate based on vaccination status would be exposing themselves to significant liability. Adding an exception would require an act of Congress.

Also consider that there is no 100% reliable way to verify vaccination status. Most states have an immunization registry but those have time delays and data quality problems. And people do still move around between states and countries.

But I do encourage everyone to get vaccinated if they can.

Re: “We are set on a path that looks disastrous”: Alabama hospitals near collapse

#17

Post by abstractbarista »

throwawaylinux wrote: post #2

Oh my god the unhinged blind frothing rage in those comments is scary, and many upvoted. I hardly go on that site I didn't realize it is a haven for hateful extremists.

Yea, it is a rather mean culture. Fascinating to watch, but scary as well.

Re: “We are set on a path that looks disastrous”: Alabama hospitals near collapse

#19

Post by MintsJohn »

One part strikes me as odd, as it come across as a new problem, while for me it seems the core problem since the epidemic started: “Hospitals have already been transferring patients to different hospitals, diverting new patients, and sending patients out of state to Georgia. And many hospitals are delaying surgeries, like knee and hip replacements and even cancer-related surgeries.“

In my country (the Netherlands) that unfortunately has been the norm since covid struck. The backlog in surgeries (all said the be of the non urgent category, meanwhile there are less cancer diagnosis than ever before...) is enormous by now, estimates are it'll take till the end of 2022 catch up, of course, that's assuming the backlog won't increase while medical personnel gets exhausted and new covid patients need ICU care as well. Since covid started it feels this effect has been underestimated by the public and is too uncomfortable for the government to discus too much

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