Covid inhibits oxygen uptake on a cellular level. Ventilatos icrease airflow only. More pressure = more airflow but not more oxygen in covid patients. Instead, lungs get torn up when pressure is high, especially in those with weakened repiratory capacity like many elderly. HydroxyChloroquine appears to restore oxygen uptake very quickly (neutralizes covid's disruption) allowing most people to recover. For many patients, ventilators accelerate their decline.