[idm]

I've heard the typical ICU/hospitalization course involves bilateral pneumonia, apparently requiring intubation and ventilation.

It appears to be survivable as long as equipment and personnel are available. And that's the problem: availability.

When health systems are overwhelmed, even people who could survive pneumonia with mechanical ventilation will die - because the equipment supply is exceeded and there are no ventilators left.

So yes, there are treatments for pneumonia, but they are limited in availability.