This document provide an explanation on the difference types of ethical components to public health and the influences this has on the public's health.
Nurs0126
Applied ethics for Health and Public Health
BSc Hons Public Health
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, What are the ethical issues of using quarantine and isolation to prevent the spread of a pandemic (e.g.
COVID-19. Ebola)?
The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has posed numerous ethical challenges on a
global scale. The virus has infected millions of people worldwide, leading to a significant loss of life. The
pandemic has not only caused immense suffering and economic loss but also forced individuals and
societies to confront various ethical dilemmas such as social distancing and Lockdowns; efforts to
control the spread of the virus involve social distancing measures and lockdowns. Ethical concerns have
arisen regarding the impact on individuals' physical and mental health, as well as the potential for
economic disparities and social unrest. Therefore, this essay will focus on the ethical issues of using
quarantine and isolation to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
It is important to define the difference between quarantine and isolation. Quarantine is the restriction of
movement of people who are potentially infected, while isolation is the restriction of movement of
people who are already infected. Health professionals should be aware of the potential ethical
implications of both measures and be prepared for the impacts on individuals, communities, and
society. The article by (Upshur, no date) explains the different ethical principles in addition to the
difference between public health ethics and clinical ethics. In particular, the harm principles state that
government actions should be limited to preventing harm to others and should use the least restrictive
method. The Siracusa principles further emphasise these restrictions should be legal, legitimate,
necessary, and without discrimination (Upshur, no date). Regarding quarantine and isolation, these
inventions should not harm the public. However, it can be hard to effectively implement these measures
without causing some harm. This is why the government needs to ensure that the measures are taken
equitably and that enough support should be provided to those who are affected by them. Furthermore,
the measures should be regularly reviewed to ensure they are still necessary and proportionate.
Moreover, the pros and cons should be weighed up to ensure the interventions are implemented
ethically.
Furthermore, it is important to consider autonomy and its role in the public willingness to engage in
quarantine and/or isolation. Autonomy is the principle that individuals have the right to make informed
decisions about their own lives and bodies without internal or external influences. However, during the
pandemic, the enforcement of quarantine and isolation can create tension between individual
autonomy and the collective good. Additionally, respecting autonomy can mean allowing individuals to
make their own choices regarding quarantine and isolation. However, when these decisions impact the
health of others, as is the case with contagious diseases, public health authorities may need to impose
restrictions to prevent the spread of illness. This can further make it difficult to implement these
decisions because the authorities must consider ethical dilemmas which can cause public health to take
a utilitarian approach when enforcing these interventions.
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