[mdmathis6]

By the time, if they got sick enough, to get to our ICU, their lungs were already so badly damaged from covid and from the associated bacterial infections that the ventilators were the only thing let for them. Lesser amounts of o2, bipap and cpap were always tried first. Luckily most who had to come to hospital never got that sick but got better with supportive therapy. The vents “didn’t damage” the vast majority of covid patients that needed them...their lungs were already “ground glassed” out.

[Radix]

Interesting thing about these people with the damaged lungs (before mech. Ventilation) was that there was no 1 cure all. Some required Pressure modes while others needed Volume, just to stabilize them. Rates, PEEP, FIO2 needs were unique. Some were Tachy, others Brady. Then there were the BP issues. It was obvious that Pt. Hx was a huge factor. Every case was a new puzzle.

Of course you are correct that the vents were not causing the damages, but this is the very popular misconception which I doubt we will ever see persons convinced else of.