As New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announces an expansion of healthcare services to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, the American Society of Anesthesiologists and other organizations issued a joint statement against placing more than one patient on a single mechanical ventilator, which is something Governor Cuomo mentioned in his daily press conference today.

He said they've approved the technology that allows one ventilator to serve two patients — a process called splitting.

"It's not ideal, but we believe it's workable," Cuomo said.

The American Society of Anesthesiologists and other organizations quickly released a joint statement in response. They noted that "sharing mechanical ventilators should not be attempted because it cannot be done safely with current equipment."

For more on the topic, see the press conference and read the statement from the American Society of Anesthesiologists and other organizations below.