The alarming rise in coronavirus cases has led to a shortage of ventilators and other medical equipment globally. This is a concerning problem because ventilators are crucial in the treatment of COVID-19. The machines help pump oxygen in patients’ lungs when they are unable to breathe on their own.
So, in a time when ventilators are a life savior for many, a 90-year-old coronavirus patient chose to preserve the machine for a younger patient. Suzanne Hoylaerts from Binkom, Belgium died after she refused to use the ventilator for her treatment, reports Daily Mail.
The elderly woman reportedly told doctors, “I don’t want to use artificial respiration. Save it for younger patients. I already had a good life.”
Suzanne was admitted to the hospital after suffering from a lack of appetite and shortness of breath. She tested positive for coronavirus and was placed in isolation. However, her health kept deteriorating and she passed away two days later, reports The Metro.
https://twitter.com/NicolasQuenel/status/1243480409121447936
Speaking to Fox News, her daughter was baffled as to how her mom contacted the deadly virus. She said that her mother stayed at home and was complying with all the lockdown rules.
Many people hailed the 90-year-old braveheart as a hero:
I’m not crying, you’re crying…. “Save it for younger patients. I already had a good life.” ~90 year old with #COVID19 who refused ventilator. https://t.co/JHJKSbrJaE
— Eric Feigl-Ding (@DrEricDing) April 1, 2020
Belgian woman, Suzanne Hoylaerts, aged 90, dies of #Covid_19 after refusing a respirator, telling her doctors "Save it for the youngest who need it most, I've already had a beautiful life.
Not all #Heroes wear caps!!
#CoronaInPakistan #SuzanneHoylaerts #CoronaUpdate #Belgium pic.twitter.com/dMhJdMBFLB— Sabiha Urooj (@SabihaaUrooj) March 29, 2020
https://twitter.com/vinny2033/status/1245326984546324485
https://twitter.com/mhdksafa/status/1245369174387576832
😢 This is why we must stay home. 90 year old hero refuses ventilator “Save it for younger patients. I already had a good life.” https://t.co/4KJnUb1Ueq
— Alison Bender (@alibendertv) April 1, 2020
How many of us will be able to let go of something that can save our life to save the life of another?
When the time comes to go, how many of us will be able to say, "I already had a good life"?
RIP, you beautiful soul!#COVIDー19#coronavirushttps://t.co/YNOyYiigBj
— Rachita Prasad (@rachitaprasad) April 1, 2020
In such troubled times, it is people like Suzanne who restore your faith in humanity. She is an angel who saved another soul. RIP Suzanne.