Triage comes from French and means something like read out, select or sort. The term comes from military medicine, which refers to the care of the injured on the battlefield. Historically, the first attempts at triage occurred in the 16th century, when a medical unit was created in the Austrian Empire to take care of wounded soldiers who were able to survive. During the mass extinction of the Napoleonic Wars in the 18th century, it gained a new, terrifying meaning.
And now this is exactly what is happening here with us, in the now. In view of ever new, sad record values in Germany, the health system is also reaching its limits here. Suddenly we’re talking about triage again – or “prioritization”. And Werner Bartens, doctor and editor in the SZ knowledge department, asks: “Folks, what still has to happen in order for you to be vaccinated?” The situation is really dramatic: “This is an unprecedented emergency”. And he adds: “It used to be a children’s plate, now it’s a matter of life and death.” And the debate has long been “about everyone who needs emergency care” and no longer just about Covid patients. But even Bartens is clear that everyone must be treated. Even vaccination opponents and refusal to vaccinate. And the Association of Intensive Care Physicians also says: “We are rescuers, not judges.”
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