Oxygen supplies grow precarious amid COVID surge

[George II]

Source: Associated Press

August 31, 2021 5:05 EST

MISSION, Kan. (AP) — The COVID-19 surge is stretching oxygen supplies and sending hospitals scrambling for more ventilators, even as there are signs of hope that the spread of the virus is slowing down in pockets of the U.S.

In Tulsa, Oklahoma, a hospital recently called 911 after coming within just a few hours of running out of oxygen because they needed an emergency transfer for a patient on high-flow oxygen. The hospital got a shipment later that day, but the experience was a warning to other hospitals, said Dr. Jeffrey Goodloe, the chief medical officer for the EMS system that serves Tulsa and Oklahoma City.

“If it can happen to one hospital, it can happen to any hospital,” Goodloe said. “There is no, ‘that is happening over there.’ There is here in a heartbeat.”

The oxygen shortages are yet another sign of the toll that the summer COVID-19 resurgence has taken on the nation’s hospital system. A handful of states including Florida, Oregon, Hawaii, Mississippi and Louisiana have set pandemic records for the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations, and many hospitals are dangerously short of staff and intensive care unit beds.



Read more: https://apnews.com/article/health-coronavirus-pandemic-90b57b82ed2f07a1cafbc68cd57246e9

[Texaswitchy]

1. This happened in India.

Damn.

[NullTuples]

2. But hey, at least the billionaires can buy enough to keep launching their toys into the air & space.

Elon Musk has had 45 successful launches during the pandemic. That doesn't include tests.

Jeff Bezos has had many test launches & rocket firings, as many a two a week at times.

And this is NOT the first time oxygen has been in short supply.

[truthisfreedom]

3. i notice you're not calling on the steel industry to cease production.

The largest user of pure oxygen worldwide. The Indian government called on them to slow production to save hospital patients during the pandemic.

Maybe you're a little too focused on successful people?

[NullTuples]

7. While I agree, to a point, it's apples & oranges.

There are a dozen large steel producing companies and even the largest, Baowu, is off more than 10% over last year.

But also, it's the symbolism. Steel companies provide a ton of jobs and directly make it possible to manufacture things like...medical equipment. Do I think non-essential parts of the industry should be mandated to throttle back to conserve O2? Of course.

Jeff Bezos on the other hand is literally just playing with his new toy. It may or may not ever become a profitable venture.

[MiniMe]

4. Hawaii while having a terrible Covid surge is not a red state

[IronLionZion]

6. They're also one of the most vaccinated states

is it from vacation travelers?

[Bengus81]

8. Yep tourists for the most part...my brother lives on Oahu

[IronLionZion]

5. Sounds like a developing country

since American exceptionalism prevents any rationing of health care.

In hotspots, people with non-COVID issues have died simply because there wasn't a spot or enough staff available in the ICU to treat them. One well known example was the veteran recently who died of an easily treatable gall bladder issue after waiting all night for treatment. He didn't have to die. The US doesn't have to run out of oxygen. Take the damn vaccine.

[roamer65]

9. I know how to stop the shortage immediately.

Pull all the O2 from all willfully unvaccinated covidiots.

Problem solved.

Next?