[Altavia]

"Rick Edelman

Because the virus has been shown to afflict people of all ages, we encourage you to update your Advance Medical Directive by adding an addendum specifically crafted for COVID-19. Our concern is that media has given little insight into what “life with COVID-19” really means. It’s often portrayed as “go to the hospital, get on a ventilator, recover, go home.”

But the truth is far more harsh. A Google scan of medical articles shows that 60 to 80 percent of COVID-19 patients who go on a ventilator die. And the procedure is drastic: Patients must be sedated for the duration of the process, with a feeding tube sometimes required. Those who improve sufficiently for the ventilator to be removed can suffer damage to the throat and vocal cords. Sometimes, a tracheotomy is required: a hole gets cut into the windpipe so the patient can breathe.

This would be a good time to talk with your attorney to see if your AMD needs to be revised due to COVID-19. To understand the myriad issues involved, take a look at this addendum, created by Compassion & Choices. We aren’t saying you should complete and sign this form; merely that you note its questions to help you decide if your AMD is sufficient given the pandemic. (If you want to consider signing Compassion & Choices’ template, you should consult your estate attorney before doing so.)."


https://compassionandchoices.org/wp-...MVBreGgyIn0%3D

Also, a 1-hour webinar produced last week by Compassion & Choices, a nonprofit organization devoted to helping consumers with end-of-life choices. Their webinar is presented by Dr. David Grube, an award-winning physician who has served in the National Health Service Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service

Staying Stronger Together Webinar Series: NHDD, End of Life Decisions Guide & Toolkit - YouTube