DEAR EDITOR:

Now that the pandemic “crisis” is over, according to the National Institutes of Health, I ask, please, that local hospital and medical staff consider prioritizing non-COVID-19 patients.

People have been dying of other causes because the equipment and staff have been tied up with coronavirus patients.

My friend, who was physically strong, unexpectedly needed equipment that was tied up by COVID-19 patients. He lay there for two days waiting, but because the heart equipment was tied up, he died. The doctor apologized. He waited too long.

A young man in his early 30s needed to be moved ahead because he had a fast-moving cancer. So he waited, asking for help since July. He kept being delayed while the cancer spread. After two surgeries, he still had to have chemo because he had to wait for equipment and staff.

Isn’t it time to have more time for other serious illnesses, over people, who for the most part, choose not to be vaccinated? Are hospitals now freed up to take care of their other patients or not?

ROSEMARIE KASCHER

Youngstown