Today, Explained The emergency room emergency
Mar 26, 2020
Calvin Sun, an ER doctor in NYC, shares gripping insights about the chaos in emergency rooms during the COVID-19 crisis. He likens the fight for medical supplies to a lottery no one wants to enter. James Hamblin from The Atlantic outlines the critical shortage of PPE and the ethical dilemmas faced by healthcare workers amid supply rationing. They delve into America’s healthcare system, comparing its pandemic response to countries like South Korea and Taiwan, revealing tough truths about healthcare preparedness and the urgent need for reform.
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Reusing Masks
- Dr. Calvin Sun, an NYC ER doctor, describes reusing the same N95 mask for five days.
- He even resorted to unconventional disinfection methods like baking it in his oven.
Systemic Shortage
- The shortage of PPE isn't limited to Dr. Sun; it's a systemic problem across NYC hospitals.
- Healthcare workers are forced to reuse essential equipment, increasing their risk of infection.
Imminent Collapse
- Dr. Sun predicts the NYC hospital system could collapse in one to two weeks if the situation doesn't improve.
- A shortage of beds, ventilators, and staff due to infections could lead to difficult rationing decisions.