Public Health versus Individual Freedom
Most people want to be healthy, and most people want as much freedom as possible to do the things they want. Unfortunately, these two desires sometimes conflict. For example, smoking is prohibited in most public places, which restricts the freedom of some individuals for the sake of the health of others. Likewise, car emissions are regulated in many areas in order to reduce pollution and its health risks to others, which in turn restricts some people’s freedom to drive the vehicles they want. In a society that values both health and freedom, how do we best balance the two? How should we think about conflicts between public health and individual freedom, especially taking into consideration our current global health situation? Should individual freedom be sacrificed for group safety? Why or why not?
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Public Health versus Individual Freedom
The current Covid-19 pandemic raises the old age debate of individual liberty versus public good. Like car emissions and tobacco smoking, the pandemic raises the question of whether individual freedom should be sacrificed for public safety. I think the best way to approach the issue is incorporating accountability, transparency, and scientific evidence in decisions that may infringe on individual freedom.
The conflict between public health and individual freedom is inevitable in this age of the pandemic but I think if accountability, transparency, and scientific evidence characterize the decisions made by public health officials, the members of the public will understand the need to put in place some measures. With scientific evidence, I think the common ...
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