Ethics of Quarantine: Society vs Individual

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One notable example of a competing priority when the good of society is favored over the good of the individual is in the case of quarantines. In particular, the fear of an Ebola outbreak a few years ago led to some particularly public examples of individuals quarantined for reasons that they felt were not appropriate. A nurse who cared for Ebola patients in Africa, Kaci Hickox , was involuntarily quarantined upon her return back to the United States (Jobe, 2016). This quarantine was implemented despite CDC guidance that stated the quarantine was not necessary. It should be noted that politicians responsible for health related legislation may often have ulterior motives that may not abide by public or individual health ethics standards (Wynia, …show more content…

These tax-payer funds would likely be much better utilized providing more effective, low cost care to more individuals than high cost, low effective care to one individual. However, as the provider follows medical ethics and their obligation is to the patient, this occurs quite frequently in our current system. This can happen in the treatment of cancers with low success rates, or other expensive treatments involved in prolonging life for individuals with terminal illnesses. Ultimately, future restrictions in resources and funding may require more difficult decisions based on the good of the many over the good of the individual.

References

Bayer, R. (2007). The continuing tensions between individual rights and public health. Talking Point on public health versus civil liberties. EMBO Reports, 8(12), 1099–1103. http://doi.org/10.1038/sj.embor.7401134

Jobe, K. M. (2016). THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF QUARANTINE AND ISOLATION ORDERS IN AN EBOLA EPIDEMIC AND BEYOND. Wake Forest Law Review, 51(1), 165-188.

Wynia, M. K. (2007). Ethics and Public Health Emergencies: Restrictions on Liberty. The American Journal of Bioethics, 7(2), 1-5.

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