THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC - HOW WELL ARE WE BALANCING HEALTH, FREEDOM, AND THE ECONOMY?

The worsening healthcare emergency with the COVID-19 pandemic has demanded a prompt reaction from authorities to contain the damage related to the spread of the virus. Our aim is to provide a bioethical contribution, with a careful analysis about the balance of individual rights with those of the whole community. The protection of the right to health in the emergency phase, with the restriction of the right to work and other rights, can have long-term negative consequences on the economy, with fallout affecting funding for the healthcare system as well. The right to health in its community dimension can sometimes clash with the protection of the sacrosanct dignity of the individual. Choices to protect health may have social and economic repercussions that could undermine the stability of many national governments.