Speaking from unpleasant experience, O2 levels below 90 are a serious thing. I went into the hospital because mine were in the upper 80s (though I have since learned that my body position was among the worst in that regard). But O2 levels in the mid-upper 80s are nowhere near automatic use of a respirator, also speaking from experience. The range of possible treatment includes moderate flow supplemental O2 via nasal cannula.
Putting the best construction on the NYT-The Hill story, I think they're exaggerating discussion of the range of possible treatment into serious consideration of putting Trump on a ventilator. Speaking from unpleasant experience, if Trump was anywhere near requiring more than low flow supplemental O2 via nasal cannula there is no way in Hades he would have been released from the hospital after just two days. Speaking from unpleasant ongoing experience, if Trump was anywhere near requiring more than low flow supplemental O2 via nasal cannula there is no way in Hades he would have been able to resume holding campaign rallies a week or two after being released from the hospital. A mere 100-200-yard walk would have had Trump huffing and puffing, and a long speech would have had him in repetitive coughing fits - being there, doing that.
IOW, the NYT and The Hill published BS so bad that just about anyone who has been hospitalized for and has recovered from Covid should know from their experiences that the claims are pure BS.
