

The Mistakes New York Made
Jul 27, 2020
In this engaging discussion, Brian M. Rosenthal, an investigative reporter for The New York Times, unpacks the stark inequalities revealed by the COVID-19 pandemic in New York. He highlights how hospital choice significantly impacted survival rates, with some community hospitals seeing three times the mortality. Rosenthal also explores the alarming disparities in healthcare quality, staffing, and resources between affluent and public hospitals. Missteps in the city's pandemic response, including the struggles of a temporary hospital, underscore the need for systemic reform.
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New York's COVID Experience
- New York succeeded in flattening the curve but experienced much tragedy.
- Examining New York's experience, both successes and mistakes, is crucial as other regions face surges.
Hospital Disparities
- Significant care disparities existed between wealthy private Manhattan hospitals and public/smaller hospitals.
- Differences included staffing, equipment, drug trials, and advanced treatment access.
Bathroom Codes
- Understaffed public hospitals saw patients wake from comas, remove life support, and die due to confusion and lack of monitoring.
- This occurred so frequently at Elmhurst that doctors called them "bathroom codes."