In a manner of speaking.
Who lives and who dies, in general, in a crunch.
A letter from a Michigan hospital system details who would get life-saving resources if equipment runs short during the coronavirus pandemic
"Because of shortages, we will need to be careful with resources," reads the letter, which is addressed to patients, families and the community.
"Patients who have the best chance of getting better are our first priority."
"Patients who are treated with a ventilator or ICU care may have these treatments stopped," it says, "if they do not improve over time."
The letter goes on to say patients with severe heart, lung, kidney or liver failure, severe trauma or burns, or terminal cancers may be ineligible for a ventilator or ICU care.
These patients will instead receive "pain control and comfort measures."
"This decision will be based on medical condition and likelihood of getting better," the letter says.
More will die if they don't do this, and hardship will be greater for survivors. So.
Is utilitarianism so appealing when you know in advance you are in the losing group?
Maybe not so much.
But maybe enough.
How much do you love your grandchildren?
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