[bryogenic]

Additionally given the expectation of ventilator shortages these hospitals have likely been preferentially providing ventilators to the sickest patients. Mortality in other areas where shortages don't exist will likely be lower.

[happytoexplain]

This cuts both ways, and I personally don't know which contributes more statistically: Hospitals are also preferentially assigning ventilators to patients more likely to be saved by them. I.e. they prioritize patients who are sick enough to need a ventilator, but not so bad off as to be unlikely to be saved by one.

[edanm]

I thought there weren't shortages? I mean, the expectation was that there might be, but given the social distancing efforts, NYC didn't end up facing shortages, meaning there would be no need to not give some people ventilators?

[eitland]

> but given the social distancing efforts, NYC didn't end up facing shortages

Another reason (warning, just from reading the news here and elsewhere) might be that it seems ventilators aren't as useful with Covid-19 as expected, and possibly actively harmful in a number of cases (again, this is just my rehash of what I have read).

From what I read doctors now try to use just proning and extra oxygen for as long as possible even if ventilators are available.

People actually working in healthcare or who have first hand knowledge should feel welcome to update this.