I think 2 reasons why the NY rate is so bad: 1. They put patients on the ventilator too late because not enough ventilator around. 2. Intubated patients need to be monitored carefully. Like 1 nurse for 2 patients. there are not enough nurses, so my guess is that even though they got on a machine, their care isn't the best.
They're working hard looking for alternatives to the conventional thinking. https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/fo...sing-ventilator-alternatives-to-treat-covid19
There is a filipino doctor on You Tube, Willie Ong who suggested that if you have a lot of mucus in your lungs and having trouble breathing, if you lie on your side or even on your back in various positions, it will help you expel the mucus from your lungs and allow you to breath easier. It certainly, cannot hurt to try it.
This video, from the 15 minute mark, has an interesting discussion about mortality of COVID-19 patients in New York: The portion until the 15 minute mark is also interesting, but not directly related to the title of this thread.