Behind every ventilator is a respiratory therapist

There are about 150,000 respiratory therapists in the United States, according to the American Association of Respiratory Care.

If they're anything like those who are part of the 11-person team at Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County, they are well-trained. They have to be; COVID-19 is primarily a respiratory-related illness that impacts a person's ability to breathe.

Respiratory therapists nationwide are in the thick of the outbreak, managing ventilators and assisting with intubations, said Crystal Hamblin, MHSC Cardiopulmonary Services Director.

The respiratory team trained for these speci...