This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/21/opinion/letters/coronavirus-hospitals.html

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Managing Patient Load Managing Patient Load
(about 1 hour later)
To the Editor:To the Editor:
As mentioned in “Rising Shortage of Dialysis Units Alarms Doctors” (front page, April 19), public health infrastructure is at risk. The hospitals of the world need an equivalent of the electrical power grid that reallocates power in response to demand. In our case, it is the patients who would be reallocated in times of extreme need.As mentioned in “Rising Shortage of Dialysis Units Alarms Doctors” (front page, April 19), public health infrastructure is at risk. The hospitals of the world need an equivalent of the electrical power grid that reallocates power in response to demand. In our case, it is the patients who would be reallocated in times of extreme need.
Reallocation would be based on a broad-based tabulation of how close each hospital was to capacity. Before any prospective patient entered a hospital that was near capacity, he or she would be redirected to a secondary site. This would require a continuously updated allocation registry, somewhat akin to what is done for patients who need organ transplants.Reallocation would be based on a broad-based tabulation of how close each hospital was to capacity. Before any prospective patient entered a hospital that was near capacity, he or she would be redirected to a secondary site. This would require a continuously updated allocation registry, somewhat akin to what is done for patients who need organ transplants.
In the moment of crisis, however, last-minute improvisations, exploratory telephone calls and so on seem destined to be catastrophic.In the moment of crisis, however, last-minute improvisations, exploratory telephone calls and so on seem destined to be catastrophic.
These thoughts are not specific to any city, state or country. If something like this proposal is not pursued, we will share an enormous public guilt when patients, nurses, staff and doctors died because one region was overwhelmed while spare capacity existed within reach.These thoughts are not specific to any city, state or country. If something like this proposal is not pursued, we will share an enormous public guilt when patients, nurses, staff and doctors died because one region was overwhelmed while spare capacity existed within reach.
Alan M. TartakoffIleana L. PiñaDr. Tartakoff is a professor of pathology at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, and Dr. Piña is a professor of medicine at Wayne State University. The letter was also signed by 52 other medical doctors and Ph.D.’s from around the world.Alan M. TartakoffIleana L. PiñaDr. Tartakoff is a professor of pathology at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, and Dr. Piña is a professor of medicine at Wayne State University. The letter was also signed by 52 other medical doctors and Ph.D.’s from around the world.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Re “Screen Time Isn’t All That Bad,” by Andrew Przybylski and Pete Etchells (Op-Ed, April 7):Re “Screen Time Isn’t All That Bad,” by Andrew Przybylski and Pete Etchells (Op-Ed, April 7):
My research involves having millennials and teenagers send me screenshots from their weekly smartphone use with the iPhone’s Screen Time or Android Digital Wellbeing.My research involves having millennials and teenagers send me screenshots from their weekly smartphone use with the iPhone’s Screen Time or Android Digital Wellbeing.
During this crisis, screen time has increased dramatically. On closer inspection it is clear that the extra time is mostly communication (social media) and news. My advice is more of the communication, as it helps us all stay connected, and less of the news, as it just adds increased stress and anxiety to our lives.During this crisis, screen time has increased dramatically. On closer inspection it is clear that the extra time is mostly communication (social media) and news. My advice is more of the communication, as it helps us all stay connected, and less of the news, as it just adds increased stress and anxiety to our lives.
Larry D. RosenSolana Beach, Calif.The writer is professor emeritus of psychology at California State University, Dominguez Hills, and a member of the National Scientific Advisory Board of Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development.Larry D. RosenSolana Beach, Calif.The writer is professor emeritus of psychology at California State University, Dominguez Hills, and a member of the National Scientific Advisory Board of Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development.
To the Editor:
“Hey Kids: Get Out There and Vote!” (editorial, April 13) showed an all too common lack of understanding of the youth vote for any Democratic victory in November.
Generation Z and millennials make up 37 percent of the electorate. Too many of us are underemployed, saddled with debt and working to support ourselves and our families. When you write of “kids,” we think of our own children, not ourselves.
If former Vice President Joe Biden and those working to get Donald Trump out of office think that they can ignore more than a third of voters, we are in for a serious loss.
For Mr. Biden to win, he must activate younger voters to outvote older, whiter voters. He must understand and champion the needs of these generations whose lives were defined by economic recessions, gun violence, climate crises and more. We are living through the consequences of the decisions made by those of older generations, and addressing these concerns will make lives better for us all.
Mr. Biden needs the youth vote, but as with all voters, he must earn those votes.
Sarah AudeloWashingtonThe writer is executive director of the Alliance for Youth Action.
To the Editor:
I appreciate your exhortation to younger Americans to get out and vote. For those who preferred Bernie Sanders and are disappointed in that result: Now the contest is reduced to two candidates, and the choice is simple: Joe Biden or Donald Trump.
Maybe you don’t like this system, but it’s the one we have for now. If you have trouble deciding which of these is best for America’s future, woe unto us.
Coleman CollaLos Angeles