Throughout the pandemic, one of the constant reflections of much of the world’s population has been to think of something we know from an early age, “death.”
This conversation has been generated by the high rates of deaths because of COVID-19, so it was there, when in my quarantine of more than 65 days, I wondered How much is life worth in Chile? And what elements are needed today to increase the life expectancy of human beings? it was then, when browsing google, I realized, of the commercialization in the Chilean market, of what are now essential elements; clinical beds, invasive and non-invasive mechanical fans. Elements with which today because of COVID-19, generate a high life expectancy, in case you have these items, today vital for the survival of the human species at risk of contagion or already infected.
Seeing this I thought about the tragicity of the situation, a manual or electric clinical bed, has a value in the Chilean market of between $300,000 and $1,000,000 pesos on average.
A fan with an invasive and non-invasive function, is quoted on the Chilean market at a value of between $4,500,000 and $7 billion pesos, you even have the possibility to order this device, for the coming months.
That is, two of the elements that are most scarce in the market, are possible to get today in Chile, for an average value today (increase due to demand) of $6 billion, that costs today to increase your life expectancy, if you test positive for the Covid-19 and present a severe health picture in your respiratory system.
This seems to me to be absolutely unacceptable, it is not possible that elements of very first need, which allow to “save lives” are transcribed in the Chilean market, without any regulation, is more, I believe and propose to the relevant authorities, decree the expropriation of all the implemented doctors available in the market and that it is this, “He State” and health personnel, who distribute it because of the needs , which you have and will have, our integrated health system, today in the fight against Covid-19.
It is one of the powers of the State of Emergency, and that on the basis of article 43(3) of the Political Constitution of the Republic of Chile, which stipulates that “by the declaration of the state of catastrophe, the President of the Republic may restrict the freedoms of locomotion and assembly. It may also provide for requisitions of property, establish limitations on the exercise of the right to property and take all extraordinary administrative measures necessary for the early restoration of normalcy in the affected area”, this tells us that it is President, who would have this power (requisitioning property) and in my opinion should do so as soon as possible.
The health system will collapse, according to some experts during the last week of May or the first of June and it will be there, where health personnel should decide, as the Italians already did, who lives and who dies. This because of the lack of ICU beds and mechanical fans, the rate of deaths by Covid-19 will grow to such an extent, that people will die not only from Covid-19, but also, because of the lack of a clinical bed or a mechanical fan, even if we do not have the necessary specialists to cover the high rate of patients who will need medical help for different causes and diseases.
It is not possible that while some die from not receiving medical help or having the necessary implements, others market these necessities, even those who may not need it and who acquire it by “hoarding” items, now vital to human life.
The content poured into this opinion column is the sole responsibility of its author, and does not necessarily reflect the editorial line or position of El Mostrador.
