Do people have, categorically, the moral right not to be quarantined?

[dogs4thewin]

Tuberculosis is passed via aerosol normally, since it usually abides in the lower respiratory tract. Anyone with an active infection can spread it to others through the air.

I wonder if he's in quarantine because of the strain he carries. Multi-drug resistant tuberculosis is becoming more common, and that's very scary right now considering we don't have any new weapons to fight it with at the moment.

that is usually what happens when people use a particular medication too much the both the condition and their bodies get to where the treatment is no long effective,

 

[Audacious]

that is usually what happens when people use a particular medication too much the both the condition and their bodies get to where the treatment is no long effective,

Actually, if the medication is prescribed and used properly, it will destroy all of the infection. If, however, a person's supply is limited, or they stop taking the medication before the full course is completed for some other reason, it creates drug-resistant illnesses.

It's actually misuse of the drug that causes this issue.

 

[KitKatMatt]

Actually, if the medication is prescribed and used properly, it will destroy all of the infection. If, however, a person's supply is limited, or they stop taking the medication before the full course is completed for some other reason, it creates drug-resistant illnesses.

It's actually misuse of the drug that causes this issue.

^ This.

Plus, treatment for TB is rather rough, leading a lot of people undergoing treatment to stop without doctors orders when they feel better. The treatment can take years, with different stages of strong antibiotics that make you feel horrible.

New York used to have an EXCELLENT TB program, in which nurses would go to the homes of TB positive people who were undergoing treatment, and would watch them take their medicine to make sure they were continuing treatment. I'm not sure if they do this anymore.

 

[Dave-W]

Do people have, categorically, the moral right NOT to be quarantined*? Why or why not?

All morality has to come from the bible and in the OT there were quarantines REQUIRED for certain diseases including leperocy.

So yes, requiring quarentine is moral. No one has the moral right to refuse.

 

[durangodawood]

All morality has to come from the bible and in the OT there were quarantines REQUIRED for certain diseases including leperocy.

So yes, requiring quarentine is moral. No one has the moral right to refuse.

There are LOTS of instructions from the OT that we all consider utterly not-moral in todays world.

So its not a reliable guide anymore.

 

[Dave-W]

Sorry - if it was commanded in scripture then it IS moral. No question.

Society may not think so; but society's opinion does not mean much compared to God's opinions, and He does not change.

 

[jacknife]

Sorry - if it was commanded in scripture then it IS moral. No question.

Society may not think so; but society's opinion does not mean much compared to God's opinions, and He does not change.

do you wear polyester? or any mixed fabrics? how about shellfish eat shellfish?

 

[Dave-W]

Synthetic garments are not mentioned in the bible. They break no command one way or the other.

I do not mix wool (animal product) with cotton or flax (plant product).
I do not eat pork or shell fish.

But for gentile believers, most of these rules do not apply due to Acts 15. (I do wish more preachers taught on that chapter)

 

[StephanieSomer]

Quarantine is called for when the danger of disease is life-threatening. So, to answer the question it is easier to rephrase it by asking, "Does the government have the authority to prevent one individual from assaulting another individual with a deadly weapon?" I would think the natural response to that question by most people would be "Yes". So, if the government DOES have authority to prevent an action which would conceivably cause the death of another person, then it does have the authority to deny certain rights in the protection of others.

Therefore, while the individual being quarantined DOES possess rights which could be construed to exempt them from quarantine, the government has a greater authority in the protection of the rights of others FROM the threat of death, and therefore has the power to supersede and effectively negate the right held by the quarantined.

Since the end result of this interchange between government and individual does result in the effective negation of the individuals right, I voted no.

I felt it needful to fully explain because I do recognize the right which the individual has as valid. But the government's responsibility in such a case is of greater validity.

 

[LOVEthroughINTELLECT]

Do people have, categorically, the moral right NOT to be quarantined*?...

Yes.

People have a justified claim to refusing medical interventions.

 

[Dave-W]

Yes.
People have a justified claim to refusing medical interventions.

Perhaps. But there is an old statement that says my right to swing my fist ends when it comes within a quarter inch from your nose.

Quarentine is not about medical intervention for the infected person. It is for them to not be able to connect that swinging fist with someone else's nose. (spreading their disease to some one else) Since it is not about them, that refusal is invalid. In essence it is refusing intervention on someone else. That cannot be done without a medical power of attorney document in place.

 

[durangodawood]

Yes.

People have a justified claim to refusing medical interventions.

I would agree for strictly personal health concerns.

But when youre likely to go around infecting other people....

 

[LOVEthroughINTELLECT]

Perhaps. But there is an old statement that says my right to swing my fist ends when it comes within a quarter inch from your nose.

Quarentine is not about medical intervention for the infected person. It is for them to not be able to connect that swinging fist with someone else's nose. (spreading their disease to some one else) Since it is not about them, that refusal is invalid. In essence it is refusing intervention on someone else. That cannot be done without a medical power of attorney document in place.

Bad analogy.

We investigate, arrest, incarcerate, prosecute, sentence and punish people after they allegedly commit an assault with their fists. We do not confine people to their homes or other facilities before the fact to keep their fists from potentially striking others.

Involuntary quarantining is draconian. Public health can be promoted by offering people who are infected with a pathogen or could have come into contact with a pathogen a service to them. A facility for them to voluntarily stay in. Care provided to them while they voluntarily stay in their own home. Pay for time missed at work. Etc.

Marginalizing/isolating a person and treating him/her like a criminal is not caring for him/her or public health.

 

[durangodawood]

Bad analogy.

We investigate, arrest, incarcerate, prosecute, sentence and punish people after they allegedly commit an assault with their fists. We do not confine people to their homes or other facilities before the fact to keep their fists from potentially striking others.

Involuntary quarantining is draconian. Public health can be promoted by offering people who are infected with a pathogen or could have come into contact with a pathogen a service to them. A facility for them to voluntarily stay in. Care provided to them while they voluntarily stay in their own home. Pay for time missed at work. Etc.

Marginalizing/isolating a person and treating him/her like a criminal is not caring for him/her or public health.

Bad analogy.

Acts of human will (crimes) are not comparable to communicable diseases (which are not willful).

If someone with active ebola, for example, refused all the voluntary opportunities for treatment, we'd be right to isolate him by force if necessary.