In my non-specialist understanding the UK’s NHS would use QALYs / EQ-5D as its objective scoring system, scoring utility of life years on dimensions including “anxious or depressed”, “problems in performing usual activities”, “problems with self-care”. Not just likelihood of coming through.
If my understanding is correct, the NHS would penalise a severely disabled patient in this scenario, other things being equal. And yes, it’s been called fascist eugenicist death panel stuff. But that’s by folks you might not normally find yourself siding with.
I take great pleasure in the thought of Lindsey Graham in a hospital bed desperately pressing the “nurse call” button over and over and over again with no effect.
I’m not proud of that pleasure, but I can live with myself.
Suggesting that choosing who gets a ventilator according to racism, sexism, ableism, or sexual orientation is in any way a legitimate option to consider is not done here.
Because the very first bullet point in the Community Guidelines is:
Be cool. Don’t post or encourage insulting, bullying, victim-blaming, racist, sexist, violent, or homophobic remarks.
Sadly, given the latest research, branding it like this is probably the only way to get a significant portion of the population to listen to actual medical advice.
A senior wrote a letter to the editor in our local paper making this point*. The young are sacrificing for us now, so when this passes maybe try harder to save the planet for them.
It was a voice-of-reason respite among the bad news.
Not that anyone will listen.
*ETA: I think the letter to the editor’s tone was more constructive and less divisive than the linked “Above the Law” article, for what it’s worth.
