[ad_1]
In Switzerland, Covid 19 runs faster than in Italy, France and Spain so much that Martin Ackermann, Chairman of the government’s anti-pandemic working group, he asked the population to limit contacts as much as possible. Otherwise, he warned, in 2/3 weeks there will be no more places in intensive care. In the last 10 days, cases have increased significantly, with a positivity rate rising to 21%, compared to 14% in Italy, while hospitalizations have tripled.
Today, 8616 new infections have been confirmed in the Swiss Confederation and Liechtenstein in the last 24 hours (135,658 in total), 44.8% more than yesterday (5,949): according to the daily bulletin of the Federal Office of Public Health (UFSP) , there have been 24 new deaths resulting in 1,954 deaths since the start of the epidemic.
However, there is no lock. However, the government has introduced the obligation to wear a mask also outdoors and the closure of bars and restaurants after 11 at night. The government, accused of not living up to the situation, seems more interested in the reasons of the economy than in those of the ‘health emergency. The fact is that Switzerland, until before the summer considered a model in the fight against Covid 19, has recently spoken of a controversy that arises from the suspicion of discriminatory treatment to the detriment of patients over 65 years of age, who are I would deny resuscitation. for the benefit of others.
Did the Swiss healthcare system deliberately allow its elders to die in order to keep the younger ones alive? “Absolutely not,” says Professor Franco Cavalli, one of the leading Swiss oncologists, who collaborated closely with Umberto Veronesi and who on certain issues where medicine has been torn apart, such as assisted suicide, must be considered a pioneer. “Please note- says a Republic – that Swiss universities teach that, in the case of transplants, if there is only one organ available and two potential recipients, the choice falls on the one with the best prognosis ”. This is what, in essence, last March 20 sanctioned the Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences, of which Professor Cavalli is a member, in a document prepared with the Swiss Society of Intensive Medicine.
According to the document, “if the rejection of patients requiring intensive treatment is necessary due to a total overload of a specialized ward, the decisive criterion at the triage level is the short-term prognosis.” Coming to the chapter on the elderly, it is admitted that “they more frequently present comorbidity situations, or tend to suffer from other pathologies”. “In short – it is added – in people affected by Covid-19, age represents a risk factor in terms of mortality and therefore must be taken into account”. However, it is also specified that “age in itself is not an applicable decision criterion”.
“At the moment we have never had to resort to a choice – concludes Professor Cavalli – However, I would like to add that what the Academy of Medical Sciences and the Swiss Society of Intensive Medicine have subscribed to is what always applies as a principle ethical, in emergency situations “. What answers to those who consider the principle of discriminatory choice for the elderly? “I don’t see any discrimination of patients. But if we have only one place and two patients, we have to choose.” In 2/3 weeks, according to Martin Ackermann’s predictions, the problem should reappear.
