People with Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and autism could be left to die of coronavirus under new guidelines in the United States.
Prioritizing measures have been suggested for doctors as the United States grapples with the Covid-19 outbreak which is seemingly out of control
Disability advocates say they are ‘disturbed’ by the guidelines published by the state of Alabama on rationing ventilators should the pandemic stretch their resources.
Alabama officials says that ‘persons with severe mental retardation, advanced dementia or severe traumatic brain injury may be poor candidates for ventilator support, to save Medical supplies
The guidelines have been attacked by disability support groups
It goes on to say that ‘persons with severe or profound mental retardation, moderate to severe dementia, or catastrophic neurological complications such as persistent vegetative state are unlikely candidates for ventilator support.’
Similar guidance has been issued in Washington and Arizona, with medics in the latter state instructed to ‘allocate resources to patients whose need is greater or whose prognosis is more likely to result in a positive outcome with limited resources.’
Disability advocacy groups have filed complaints against the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for further clarification on the guidance.
