Les is a long-time epidemiologist and sanitation engineer; he's served in dozens of outbreaks and conflict situations including both of the cholera epidemics in Goma following the Rwandan genocide.
"[...] this is not about treating the ill as much as it is about minimizing infections. [...] We are primarily trying to facilitate people to die without infecting others. Very little of this logic beyond the ORS [oral rehydration supplement] is about treatment."
" We are about to assist thousands and thousands of people
to die an excruciating death at home without even the most
mild of pain relief."
The longer the host stays alive, the longer the virus has to multiply in the host and get caretakers sick.
But either way, a 50% survival rate under circumstances where I am more likely to infect those I love the longer I'm alive makes it a much easier choice. At an R0 of 2, I'm statistically likely to take one other life, who will go on to take one other life etc. At an R0 of greater than 2, I'm going to result of many more people. Only at an R0 less than 2 is it even reasonable to consider trying your chances to stay alive.