The problem is every hospital is forecasting a dire need for ventilators in the next few weeks. COVID patients can take up a vent for nearly 3 weeks. Any vent that's sent to another hospital right now will likely be gone for the entire duration of this outbreak.
Anecdotally, my wife's hospital, in a rural county with 1 case, is already at ICU capacity and pushing the limit on vents.
Anecdotally, my wife's hospital, in a rural county with 1 case, is already at ICU capacity and pushing the limit on vents.