The rise and fall of humane feelings

The 20th century has seen the emergence and peak of all the "humane" qualities: human rights, love and respect thy neighbour, spiritual development, understanding, etc. I think honestly that the big shove was done by the hippy movement, as much as it was criticized and put down.

The 21st century seems to be characterized by the disappearance of all these humane qualities. The struggle for power, the lawsuits, the desperate desire to accumulate - doesn't really matter what, power, money, cats, collections of magazines, peace of mind - has brought down and is smothering the humane qualities.

What brought this up? This brought this up

Resident of Calif. facility dies after nurse refuses to do CPR due to policy

 To be very honest when I first read it it reminded me of my last place of work. Same type of facility, independent housing for seniors. They had the same policy. When I got hired I did sign that I was made aware that if any of the residents would pass out, fall, or whatever, I wasn't allowed to give them any help. I signed while knowing with certainty that I wouldn't abide. If this place was at least similar to the one I used to work at, it makes me shudder. Don't get me wrong, it was a nice place, funded mostly by charity, the apartments (well, more like studios most of them) very nice, with two libraries, two lounges, game room, fitness room, cafeteria, looked pretty much like a 4-5 stars hotel. But it made me think of a prison nevertheless. The Director and upper staff (I was considered upper staff too but I never "bonded" I guess) were permanently worried that residents would get in any way connected to the outside world. Place was locked after 6 pm and during the week-ends. Staff wasn't allowed to be in any way "buddy" style with the residents. Just "hello" and "how are you". Was really hard for me not to - for one, due to the nature of my work (I was Activities Director) and for two - I just LOVE elderly people. I find them fascinating and I would spend days listening to them. I think they're fun, interesting, witty and a pleasure to have around. So.. yeah

But back to the article. How is it even possible? How can it be required of people to stand and do nothing when someone else might be dying? How is it possible that A NURSE would not give CPR? Nurses don't have any kind of oath like the doctors have Hippocrates' oath? Not only that, but legally, for example, I know that Oklahoma law provides that "any person who in good faith renders or attempts to render emergency care consisting of artificial respiration, restoration of breathing, or preventing or retarding the loss of blood, or aiding or restoring heart action or circulation of blood to the victim or victims of an accident or emergency, wherever required, shall not be liable for any civil damages as a result of any acts or omissions by such person in rendering the emergency care. " (Good Samaritan Act, Title 76); I would presume that al states have that type of provision in their statutes. Also, for a medically licensed person, withholding care is a crime. How was all this possible?