Dear Jimmy Kimmel,
During your show on 8 September 2021, you commented on the shortage of ICU beds, saying “Vaccinated person having a heart attack? Yes, come right on in, we’ll take care of you. Unvaccinated guy, who gobbled horse goo? Rest in peace, wheezy.” I take issue with your commentary for three primary reasons: 1) the comments appear to be racially discriminatory, 2) the comments are not founded in science and serve to further divide a country that, unfortunately, is taking medical advice from too many non-physicians, and 3) the suggestion that doctors should selectively treat patients is unethical.
To be clear, I am vaccinated against COVID and am not “anti-vax.” In addition to the COVID vaccine, I have been vaccinated against smallpox, anthrax, rabies, and a whole litany of diseases the military deemed worthy. Instead, I value informed patient consent and ultimately patient choice. Patients may make personal health decisions
I do not agree about a great many health conditions, but it is my DUTY to lay out the risks and benefits of treatment options and, in the end, respect patient autonomy and decisions. So, let me address each of my original points individually:
First, the category of “unvaccinated Americans” includes ALL racial/economic groups. In my practice a large percent of the unvaccinated patients are non-white – on the surface, your statements could make you appear racist since you are targeting unvaccinated Americans and non-Whites disproportionately make us this group. You may want to further understand the group of individuals you are suggesting should not be treated. Our country has already come so far in providing non-discriminatory medical care. Do you really want to encourage us to regress?
Second, if we follow your logic to its reasonable end, as healthcare providers should we stop treating a multitude of other conditions that derive from personal choice and cost our country far more in terms of money, time, and hospital resources? These categories are, at a minimum:
Drug addicts
Alcoholics/drunk drivers
Smokers
Criminals
Diseases of Obesity (heart disease, strokes, diabetes, many cancers, orthopedic injuries, etc.)
Your suggestion that we deny patients care based upon a vaccination status would indicate that you would endorse denying treatment to all of these people as well. Is this really how you think? This would require hospitals to triage patients with a drug test, breathalyzer, weight scale, etc., and deny treatment accordingly. Your own backyard in Hollywood is rife with those who would be denied health care if these were the new rules of healthcare.
www.nbcboston.com
