[ADefenestrator]

It's not just intubation but varying other protocols for treating sepsis, ARDS, etc depending on the exact set of symptoms. Even the ventilator itself is far from "hook it up and leave it" - there has to be a careful and up-to-date balance between getting enough oxygen into the bloodstream and not damaging the lungs more than absolutely necessary.

The people on a nasal cannula of oxygen probably only need limited skilled intervention and supervision, but once they're intubated it's pretty intensive.