Social Distancing Policies Essay

1. For this assignment carefully read the following case.

Social distance is defined as, “ the avoidance of close contact with other people during the outbreak of a contagious disease in order to minimize exposure and reduce the transmission of infection” (Merriam-Webster). When there is a potential of contagion such as the Coronavirus pandemic, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends social distancing including limited travel, working at home, self-quarantine for people who are sick, and online school methods. Their guidelines were “designed for a “containment” approach in the absence of sustained SARS-CoV-2 transmission in US communities in order to delay introduction and spread of SARS-CoV-2.” (CDC, 2020).

On the one hand, social distancing can prevent the spread of a disease in a community, thus limiting the number of cases of people getting sick. Social distancing early in a pandemic can “curb” the influx of spreading to avoid a large number of concurrent patients that hospitals may not have the resources to handle. It also may slow the rate of transmission, giving scientists more time to study the disease and develop medicine and vaccinations.

On the other hand, there are negative consequences of social distancing. If people are not working, they may not make enough money to pay the bills. Parents may need to stay at home to provide child care. Businesses may lose money as shoppers are staying home. Although some industries may see a rise in activity (delivery services such as Amazon, or streaming services such as Netflix), professor Bludau warns that large industries such as oil and gas will have nation-wide impacts on gas prices (Bludau, 2020).

CDC. March 7, 2020. “Guidance for risk assessment.” https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/risk-assessment.html (Links to an external site.)

“Social distance.” 2020. Merriam-Webster.com (Links to an external site.) Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/social%20distance (Links to an external site.).

Bludau, Janelle. Feb 4, 2020. “Professor: Coronavirus to impact Houston’s economy.” KHOU11.https://www.khou.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/professor-coronavirus-to-impact-houstons-economy/285-f3e4d0e4-7211-4e7a-9a91-181a6b976556 (Links to an external site.)

2. Write 500 words on the following question:

Should social distancing policies be mandatory, such as closing schools or requiring business to pay employees for leave of absence? Should the decision be left to the federal government, state government, businesses, or individuals?

You must use one of the moral theories we have studied this semester in your answer. You could use: Utilitarianism (act or rule), Kant’s deontology, Social contract theory, or Virtue ethics. Be sure to state the main principle of the theory and explain how it applies to this case.

Your response should include:

A. A brief summary of the main problem and relevant background facts and a clear statement of your position on the case. (see item number 1 in Guidelines for a Case Study Analysis in Burnor & Raley, pp. xxiii)

B. An argument in support of your position on the case, which includes a moral principle. (see items 3 & 4 in Guidelines for a Case Study Analysis in Burnor & Raley, pp. xxiii-xxiv)

C. Describe and respond to at least one possible objection to your position. (see item 5 in Guidelines for a Case Study Analysis in Burnor & Raley, pp. xxiv)