For the those of us who are "elders", there is no more personal decision than whether

[Atticus]

or not we would choose to be put on a respirator in the event Covid seriously impairs our breathing. Several posts here have stated the poster's intent to refuse one as there is a shortage of respirators and younger people still responsible for children and grandchildren may need them. Others would want a respirator if one was available. I support both decisions.

If my choice is whether I or my wife of 50 years gets a respirator, that's an easy one: she gets it. If it's a choice between a respirator for me or one of my children or their spouses or my grandchildren, that's not even worth discussing: I will die as well as I can manage.

But, the same love that would motivate my sacrifice in those situations, means that I want very much to enjoy my loved ones for as long as possible. In any other set of facts than I stated above, I hope I can have the help of a respirator.

As I said above, this is a very personal decision and that is mine. It is, in part, influenced by my fervent belief that most American deaths would have been prevented if almost anyone other than Trump had been president.

To die is one thing. To die unnecessarily is quite another.

[notdarkyet]

1. My husband died in a. VA hospital, metastasized cancer an lung cancer. They offered him a ventilato

But he refused. He did not want to prolong his death. Everyone has choices to make in life and death.

[Atticus]

2. I am sorry for your loss. I think many of us hope we'd have the courage your guy had. nt

[Stuart G]

3. I am also sorry for your loss

[LizBeth]

4. My son called me to specifically tell me to go into hospital and get treated, if I get the virus.

As if I would not. He was adamant. I am not sure why he felt the need to demand this of me. I would.

[Atticus]

5. You done good with that young'un! nt

[LizBeth]

7. Ya, they love me. LOl. ;)

[HotTeaBag]

6. The converse is also true

in that if I was sick with Covid-19 and needed the use of a respirator, I would very much hope I would have access to one.

However if it was between me and someone older or with underlying medical conditions who were essentially facing a sure death sentence without the use of one, if given the choice I would choose to forgo the use of the machine in the hopes that it would help someone else and try my best to hang on until another presented itself.

I don't understand this 'let the older ones go/die' mentality when I've always believed that we as a society should adhere to 'the strong(er) should protect the weak'.

[Atticus]

8. Thank you. Well said. nt

[sanatanadharma]

9. We all die, but why the killing frenzy?

We all die. It is the unresolved reality of humanity.
Every death is different; every death is singular even when masses go together.

If an elderly priest says "leave me, save the young", so be it perhaps noble in dying.
If a grand parents wish to remain with the grand kids, so be it equally in living.

We all die.
We do not all choose to kill.
The killing frenzy of the regressive-republican-conservative-tribe is frightening.

[Atticus]

10. Amen. nt

[Laelth]

11. I do not dare to judge. It should be, if it happens, a personal decision.

If our experience is anything like Italy’s, however, it’s likely to be a medical-professional decision made by a doctor and not a decision made by a patient.

-Laelth