How to overcome lockdown

Selective isolation versus contact tracing

verfasst von

Lucie White, Philippe Van Basshuysen

Abstract

At this stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, two policy aims are imperative: Avoiding the need for a general lockdown of the population, with all its economic, social and health costs, and preventing the healthcare system from being overwhelmed by the unchecked spread of infection. Achieving these two aims requires the consideration of unpalatable measures. Julian Savulescu and James Cameron argue that mandatory isolation of the elderly is justified under these circumstances, as they are at increased risk of becoming severely ill from COVID-19, and are thus likely to put disproportionate strain on limited healthcare resources. However, their arguments for this strategy are contingent on the lack of viable alternatives. We suggest that there is a possible alternative: A mandatory, centralised contact-Tracing app. We argue that this strategy is ethically preferable to the selective isolation of the elderly, because it does not target members of a certain group, relying instead on the movements of each individual, and because it avoids the extended isolation of certain members of the society. Although this type of contact-Tracing app has its drawbacks, we contend that this measure warrants serious consideration.

Organisationseinheit(en)

Institut für Philosophie

Typ

Übersichtsarbeit

Journal

Journal of medical ethics

Band

46

Seiten

724-725

Anzahl der Seiten

2

ISSN

0306-6800

Publikationsdatum

28.10.2020

Publikationsstatus

Veröffentlicht

Peer-reviewed

Ja

ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete

Probleme, Ethik und rechtliche Aspekte, Gesundheit (Sozialwissenschaften), Geisteswissenschaftliche Fächer (sonstige), Health policy

Ziele für nachhaltige Entwicklung

SDG 3 – Gute Gesundheit und Wohlergehen

Elektronische Version(en)

https://doi.org/10.1136/medethics-2020-106680 (Zugang: Offen)