Earlier quoted context omitted.
> Just treat it as harmless hobbyism Any other time, yes. In a time of widespread panic? Dangerous. People are going to try to build and use these at home in an act of desperation to "do something", and end up killing their loved ones.
Think back to Wuhan. Imagine the hospitals have closed their doors because they are already backed up. Your grandparent is dying in the room next door because no doctor is available to treat them. Who the hell cares if you build a ventilator and try it then? They're going to die anyways. You are doing nothing except increasing their chance of survival by acting instead of waiting. Should you use this while hospital b…
Do you have the tools to intubate them properly? Do you know how to get a good head tilt? Do you have anesthetic and a vasoconstrictor to administer?
Before you build a ventilator, figure out how you would shove a garden hose down someones throat past the vocal cords. I'll wait.