[jacquesm]

Again, two weeks is a long time. All of the non-emergency surgeries in my own circle have been called off already and so far this region is - for now - doing ok. A little bit further South (35 miles) the hospitals are on 'Code Red', which means that there is no ICU capacity available, 'Code Black' is when they will start triaging, which is probably a few days away.

Because every operation has a chance of developing complications if there is no ICU capacity available the operations will be cancelled regardless of whether or not the operation itself is a risky one.

Also, this being a forum and the person making their statement in this forum I feel that I'm totally free to speculate. Forum participation invites speculation, and in this case my speculation is backed up by local experience. If that is not the kind of message you want to be passed on then fine but that's your opinion, which in this case you are more than welcome to spout as long as you realize that you have just as much right to do so as I do.

Oh, and in case you want a citation to go with this then maybe this will help you:

https://twitter.com/ASlavitt/status/1238817274590629888

[zozbot234]

Canceling non-urgent surgeries also helps as the hospital can cannibalize ventilators and other life support equipment from the operating rooms and use it as makeshift ICU capacity.

[nate_meurer]

Is the code red in place because ICUs are reserved, or are they already all in use?

[jacquesm]

Almost all filled up, expected to fill up today or tomorrow.

Dutch:

https://www.omroepbrabant.nl/nieuws/3171310/Code-rood-in-de-...