Moral debate: if there was only one ventilator and Boris Johnson....

If in this scenario there was no other boomer I could take the ventilator from, I would give the ventilator to the student and then hold a state funeral for Boris Johnson. The next Conservative leader would be impossible to defeat.

Reply 21

dxnixl

18

don’t give it to either of them.

Turn the lights off, sit in the corner of the ward, and watch them both die a slow, miserable death whilst munching on some spicy Cheetos

Reply 22

CatusStarbright

22

Original post by quirky editor

If in this scenario there was no other boomer I could take the ventilator from, I would give the ventilator to the student and then hold a state funeral for Boris Johnson. The next Conservative leader would be impossible to defeat.

You can’t take someone’s ventilator off then for another as a doctor.

Reply 23

Sin Nombre

18

Original post by CatusStarbright

You can’t take someone’s ventilator off then for another as a doctor.

I'm sure a speed bill could be passed to allow it

Reply 24

username2393237

21

No life is inherently worth more. Threads like this are the opposite of helpful in this crisis.

Reply 25

whatitdobabyeee

12

Original post by Miss Maddie

Moral debate: if there was only one ventilator and Boris Johnson needed one as did a young student also in the ward, should Boris give it up to allow the child to have it?

My opinion is no. Boris has contributed more in his life tax wise and will achieve more/contribute more than the student ever will. Giving the ventilator to Boris gives it to the more productive person.

If the young student is a serial petty criminal does your view change?

I believe that, if we view things in an utilitarian way, Boris might have contributed more, but the student will too, if his life is saved. He has had less time to contribute to society and it would not be fair to deprive him from a chance of doing so.

Also, in response to your argument : you cannot say that for sure. What if the student ends up becoming the next Steve Jobs and creates millions of jobs all over the World, amasses a fortune and (actually) pays his taxes?

Reply 26

Zoqua

16

Original post by Miss Maddie

Moral debate: if there was only one ventilator and Boris Johnson needed one as did a young student also in the ward, should Boris give it up to allow the child to have it?

My opinion is no. Boris has contributed more in his life tax wise and will achieve more/contribute more than the student ever will. Giving the ventilator to Boris gives it to the more productive person.

If the young student is a serial petty criminal does your view change?

As @barnetlad said above, is this really appropriate at this current time? I'm no fan of Boris Johnson in any respect, but the man is currently in intensive care, fighting for his life to the immense stress of his loved ones, who are also having to bear immense attention from the media on top of it - do you really think it's helpful for them, or anyone else for that matter, to start a thread about who you would theoretically kill when there are already people dying currently?

Just such a pointless debate, and not at all appropriate to the current circumstances as there are many real people, in real life, currently having to similar choices in hospitals, right now as we speak.

Reply 27

username4406682

19

Boris should have the ventilator because he is the Prime Minister.

This probably isn't the best thing to post given he is in hospital at the moment.

Reply 28

karelina

16

Original post by Miss Maddie

Moral debate: if there was only one ventilator and Boris Johnson needed one as did a young student also in the ward, should Boris give it up to allow the child to have it?

My opinion is no. Boris has contributed more in his life tax wise and will achieve more/contribute more than the student ever will. Giving the ventilator to Boris gives it to the more productive person.

If the young student is a serial petty criminal does your view change?

And if the student was you, would your view change?

Reply 29

Napp

22

As much as i dislike Boris and his politics he should get it, he is by definition the more deserving im afraid.

Reply 30

Napp

22

Original post by YaliaV

No life is inherently worth more.

Why do you say that?

Reply 31

username2393237

21

Original post by Napp

Why do you say that?

You don’t agree?

Reply 32

Napp

22

Original post by YaliaV

You don’t agree?

Depends in what way. On a purely mathematical level, people are naturally worth different amounts me it in dollar terms, to society or in some other sense. After all, that is what triage is about, no?

Reply 33

DSilva

12

Original post by Miss Maddie

Rich, powerful, widely liked, changed lives for the better (as most see it)

He's made something of himself

Not to get drawn into the debate but you do realise he was born rich and powerful? It's not exactly the rags to riches story you're suggesting ...

He's also a big fan of the wonderful NHS who have just treated him brilliantly.