IDIS-173 (1)
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Queens University *
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173
Subject
Medicine
Date
Dec 6, 2023
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docx
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ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Choose an existing, emerging, or potentially resurging infectious disease threat to public
health.
2. With your chosen disease in mind, select one of the two questions:
a. Should normal civil liberties be curtailed and infected patients quarantined? What about
their families, or other individuals suspected to be at risk?
b. Do healthcare workers have a duty to care for infected patients even if it means putting
themselves and their families at higher-than-usual risk?
3. Identify the strongest counter arguments to your position on the question and share your
responses to them.
4. What are your top 2-3 policy recommendations in response to your selected question?
Please
explain your rationale.
Infectious diseases have always been a concern for public health worldwide. Although there
have been some success stories in controlling the spread of some diseases, new infectious
diseases keep emerging, posing a threat to global health. One such disease that has garnered
global attention in recent times is COVID-19. The pandemic has put the spotlight on the
question of whether normal civil liberties should be curtailed and infected patients quarantined.
This essay discusses both sides of the argument and proposes policy recommendations for
dealing with such a situation.
Civil liberties are fundamental rights and freedoms that individuals possess in a society, such as
the freedom of movement, expression, and association. Quarantine, on the other hand, is a
public health measure that seeks to prevent the spread of infectious diseases by separating the
sick from the healthy. The issue of curbing civil liberties and enforcing quarantine has been put
in sharp focus with the COVID-19 pandemic. While some argue that civil liberties should be
curtailed and infected patients quarantined, others believe that it is a violation of their rights.
One of the primary reasons to curtail civil liberties and quarantine infected individuals is to
prevent the spread of the disease. A contagious illness can spread rapidly, causing harm to large
numbers of people. Quarantine helps to break the chain of transmission, preventing the disease
from spreading. Moreover, isolation wards enable medical professionals to provide specialized
care to infected individuals, which is essential for their well-being. By containing the infection,
quarantine can reduce the load of infected patients and enable healthcare facilities to focus on
treating those in need of medical care.
However, the argument for curbing civil liberties and enforcing quarantine has been met with
criticism. One of the key criticisms is that quarantining individuals violates their fundamental
rights. Critics argue that it is an infringement of their freedom to restrict their movement and
isolate them from their families. Moreover, quarantined individuals may face discrimination or
stigmatization, which can have long-lasting psychological and emotional effects.
Another perspective to consider is whether healthcare workers have a duty to care for infected
patients even if it means putting themselves and their families at higher-than-usual risk.
Healthcare workers face a high risk of contracting infectious diseases while providing care to
patients. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the risks that healthcare workers face, which
is why it is crucial to address this question.
One argument in favor of healthcare workers' duty to care is that it is their ethical and moral
responsibility to treat patients regardless of the risks involved. Healthcare workers have a duty
to their patients and should provide care without discrimination. They are trained to take
precautions to protect themselves and their patients from infection. Furthermore, healthcare
workers may face legal implications if they refuse to care for patients, and this may compromise
their licenses or credentials.
However, the argument for healthcare workers' duty to care has also been met with criticism.
Some argue that healthcare workers should not be forced to put themselves or their families at
risk, and that their own safety should be prioritized. It is argued that the ethical principle of
non-maleficence, which means doing no harm, should apply not only to patients but also to
healthcare workers.
Overall, the decision to curtail civil liberties and quarantine infected individuals should be made
on a case-by-case basis, considering the potential risks and benefits. Similarly, the duty of care
of healthcare workers should be balanced with their safety, and measures should be taken to
protect them from harm.
In light of the above arguments, it is recommended that policy-makers adopt the following
policy recommendations:
1. Educate the public: There is a need for increased public awareness and education on
infectious diseases. Governments should invest in public health campaigns to raise awareness of
the potential risks and how to prevent the spread of such diseases.
2. Provide support to quarantined individuals: Governments should provide support to
individuals who are quarantined, such as mental health counseling or financial assistance.
3. Prioritize the safety of healthcare workers: Governments should ensure that healthcare
workers are provided with adequate personal protective equipment and prioritized for
vaccination.
In conclusion, infectious diseases pose a significant threat to public health, and policy-makers,
healthcare professionals, and individuals must work together to combat this threat. Balancing
the need to curb the spread of infectious disease while respecting civil liberties and ensuring
healthcare workers' safety is a delicate balancing act. Policy-makers must consider the potential
risks and benefits of quarantine and prioritize public health while respecting individual rights
and freedoms.
https://www.bcm.edu/departments/molecular-virology-and-microbiology/emerging-infections-
and-biodefense/emerging-infectious-diseases#:~:text=Emerging%20infections%20can%20be
%20caused,geographic%20locations%20or%20new%20populations
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7096727/
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/emerging-infectious-
diseases
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/
https://www.niaid.nih.gov/research/emerging-infectious-diseases-pathogens
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/emerging-infections-characteristics-
epidemiology-and-global-distribution/emerging-infections-how-and-why-they-arise
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/about
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/veterinary-science-and-veterinary-medicine/emerging-
infectious-disease
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41579-021-00639-z
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