Israeli doctor in Italy: We no longer help those over 60

[bluewater]

Source: Jerusalem Post [Israel]

Israeli medical doctor Gai Peleg told Israeli television that in northern Italy the orders are not to allow those over 60 access to respiratory machines.
By JERUSALEM POST STAFF MARCH 22, 2020 09:21

Italy suffered more coronavirus-related victims than China with 4,825 confirmed deaths and 5,000 confirmed patients in the last 24 hours, Channel 12 reported on Sunday.

Israeli doctor Gai Peleg, who is currently working to save lives in Parma, Italy, told Channel 12 that things are only getting worse as the number of patients keeps growing.

As his department receives coronavirus patients who are terminally ill the focus is to allow patients to meet loved ones and communicate with them during their last moments despite the quarantine regulations. Other reports claim that, as the numbers of dead increases, some families find themselves unable to secure a proper burial for their loved ones.

Peleg said that, from what he sees and hears in the hospital, the instructions are not to offer access to artificial respiratory machines to patients over 60 as such machines are limited in number.

Read more: https://www.jpost.com/International/Israeli-doctor-in-Italy-We-no-longer-help-those-over-60-621856

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I had heard that doctors in Italy have been triaging patients based on co-morbidities, such as pre-existing conditions like cancer and diabetes and even age, but this is the first time I have heard the age cut-off is this low now... 60 years of age.

Very disturbing.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

1. Scary.

The future terrifies me.

[cstanleytech]

2. I would not want to be in the shoes of the people who made that tough decision to institute

such a thing as I imagine it was a difficult decision to make.

[Owl]

4. Terrifying.

[Canoe52]

7. +1

we are both a decade over 60, hope it doesn’t happen here.

[TomVilmer]

5. "from what he sees and hears"...

... we might come to this point, but this "article" is just rumors.

[NickB79]

9. If he's seeing it, it's first-hand knowledge

Which is the exact opposite of a rumor.

[TomVilmer]

13. Depends a lot on WHAT he sees

Another problem is the misunderstandings in the article, since Gai Peleg is not an Iraeli doctor, but a news reporter...

[TomVilmer]

22. Update - still just rumors....

Machines are indeed missing. However, efforts are being made to save everyone. Yesterday colleagues told me that there was a 60-year-old barrage for the respirator machines in Parma, which is not necessarily indicative of all of Italy. I personally have not stood the test of those who save and those who do not.
https://www.mako.co.il/news-lifestyle/2020_q1/Article-3935f8a401ff071027.htm

[Steelrolled]

17. yes, doctors are people and many people like to gossip.

And the best gossip is the shocking gossip. Doesn't help that it is a doctor commenting on the situation in another country.

[joanbarnes]

6. This in a country with advanced medical care and culture that values its elders......

[left-of-center2012]

8. We'll, I'm 73 with health problems

Can I at least get a cyanide pill?

[Delphinus]

11. Agreed.

Don't let me suffer - just let me die quickly.

[LuvNewcastle]

14. Death by morphine

If I have to die in the hospital, that's the way I want to go.

[appalachiablue]

16. Check that, and I hope the supply of morphine to the US is ok.

[Chemisse]

15. Yeah, that would be more merciful. n/t

[Bayard]

10. If it gets to that point here,

The only solace will be how many rethuglicans will be taken out, starting with trump and McConnell.

[Steelrolled]

18. Jesus wept.

[IronLionZion]

12. It varies by hospital

https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1257852/Italy-coronavirus-intubating-elderly-pandemic-china-hospitals-Nadine-Dorries

A lot of patients need help with breathing but there are not enough ventilators.

They've told us that starting from now we'll have to choose who to intubate - priority will go to the young or those without comorbidities.

[littlemissmartypants]

19. I would gladly forgo ventilation if my niece needed it.

She wants to be a surgeon. I've already lived my dreams.

[Yeehah]

23. I've busted my ass my entire life

and I want to enjoy a retirement.

[lettucebe]

20. Triage is already happening

My son is a firefighter working in Shoreline, WA near the initial outbreak at Life Care Center. He told me a couple weeks ago they were already having discussions about how to deal with triage.

I know several people working in hospitals here where in live in Vancouver, WA. They are also moving fast to that point.

There are only so many ICU beds in any hospital, and when they are full they are full. They do not take someone off the machine because someone younger or healthier shows up needing it. It is simply not available to that younger patient. Triage comes into play when two arrive at the same time. Who to choose? Logic says you choose the younger or one with family they support, etc. An older person is simply considered to have done their contribution and it's more fair for the younger to survive. It's harsh but reality.

[LudwigPastorius]

21. Holy Shit