The CVS debacle is just a symptom of a very sick society

[Horse with no Name]

If you haven't felt that way, then the man's house burning down a couple of weeks ago should have sold you on that.
At the last HOSPITAL that I worked at, COMPANY POLICY was that if an employee or a visitor were to suffer a heart attack or other ailment (which would include an asthma attack) while on our premises, you were to call 911 and NOT intervene.
The hospital that I worked at was a satellite facility...we didn't have an ER.
Pause and think about that one.
Now, personally, I like to sleep at night...so I would have given the inhaler if I were the employee, I would have crossed the line to put the fire out if I were the employee, AND had the situation presented itself while I was in that hospital's employ...I would most definitely call 911 BUT I will still offer assistance in the meantime.
There is not a job in the WORLD where I would set aside decency and basic human kindness as a pre-requisite to work there.
I don't care if I don't have a backup job--I would not sit idly by while people died or their property was destroyed.
It isn't who I am.

[elleng]

1. It was one stupid person, in a place where others were not around

to step in/intervene. Really, how many here think it would have occurred in 'our' CVS (or Rite Aid, or other?)

There definitely is 'sick' in this society, e.g. tea-crap, but I don't accept this incident as a symptom of an otherwise charitable country/culture.

[Xipe Totec]

9. I'm not so sure anymore. nt

[KT2000]

2. Here ! Here!

I couldn't agree more. What has happened to us.

[Terra Alta]

3. Sometimes company policy isn't the best policy.

I, too, would risk my job if someone's life were on the line... I don't think I could live with myself otherwise. To stand by and do nothing.. it just isn't in me.

[elleng]

10. I suspect that 'company policy' contains/expects reasonable use of discretion,

which was NOT used here.

[dkf]

4. I'm sure there are many people who can't afford medicine that are in danger.

Would you draw the line at giving them medicine?

[Horse with no Name]

5. If they were in an imminent life-threatening situation

then of course.
However, I feel like you are trying to lead me down another path.
Yes, I realize that many Americans need their high blood pressure medicine, etc. and their lives are in danger--however, not in imminent danger. However, that isn't the discussion we are having.
We are talking about someone in danger of dying in front of your eyes. To divert the conversation is disingenuous.
By the way, I completely support universal healthcare. NOBODY should be without medication.

[dkf]

8. People who don't take their high blood pressure medicine ARE in imminent danger.

Yet we make people go to doctors for scripts then put them through slightly adjusted patents so we can make things more expensive. It's all about making people pay whatever they can to stay alive. Talk to the kid whose aunty couldn't afford insulin.

We pretend like so many aren't in imminent danger when they can't get their medicine but really we know better.

[RKP5637]

6. Reminds me of the sick F's that stand and watch someone raped, beaten,

murdered or in other deep trouble and don't bother to call 911 on their damn cell phone, but snap a picture. This society is often F'ed up IMO.

[pipi_k]

7. It sucks and all, but

I don't think these things are a sign that Society is any sicker than it's always been.

[tavalon]

11. I lost my mother when I was eight to status asthmaticus

The only solace I take from this is that the pharmacist in question will likely lose his license.

[tblue37]

12. +1.