Topic: Case Study
7. Cheryl is a public health official for a local government. She has just been informed that a number of people at a local office building have become suddenly ill. Upon investigation, she finds that there is a highly contagious virus that is making people in the building ill, and she wants to keep the virus contained so that others outside the building are not contaminated. She considers the option of quarantining everyone in the building, but wonders whether a quarantine, which would confine the occupants of the building for days or weeks, is justified by the threat that the virus poses to public health. What would be your response in her situation? Identify the ethical perspectives involved and suggest solutions. (250 words)
Why this question:
The question is based on the current pandemic and imitates the same in a smaller situation and analyses the possible ethical dilemmas involved.
Key demand of the question:
Explain the ethical perspectives and challenges involved in the case, present your opinion as to what should ideally be done to resolve the scenario..
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Briefly explain the nuances involved in the case.
Body:
This case involves a conflict between beneficence and autonomy. A quarantine would severely restrict the lives of the people within the building (violating the principle of autonomy), but this action is supported by the principle of beneficence, since it would safeguard the health of the general public. One might be tempted to appeal to the principle of no maleficence in this case: if Cheryl does not impose quarantine, she is thereby allowing the public to be harmed by the virus. But typically failing to prevent harm (rather than directly causing harm) is understood by ethicists as a violation of the principle of beneficence.
Conclusion:
Finally, conclude that the principle of equality is involved, since Cheryl must consider the interests of each occupant of the building and each person outside the building who might be in danger of being infected by the virus on an equal basis and take necessary actions.
