The Covid-19 Pandemic and Global Bioethics

Description

This book demonstrates that the COVID 19 pandemic asks for a a global approach to bioethics. it describes how the pandemic affects the experience of being in a world that is intrinsically characterized by global connectivity. It demonstrates that a moral vision is necessary to articulate this experience of connectedness. Subsequently, a perspective of global bioethics is introduced, which provides a broader framework than mainstream bioethics, since it highlights the significance of both vulnerability and solidarity. Through a unique global perspective the book addresses the moral challenges of the pandemic, and places the confrontation with death, disease and disability within a wider framework of ethical concerns. This book is of important in the public debate on infectious diseases, and of relevance to health professionals, global health educators, public health experts,as well as policy makers. Preface Contents Chapter 1: Introduction: The Perspective of Global Bioethics 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Global Threats 1.3 International Cooperation 1.4 Ethics and Health Care 1.5 Bioethics as Social Ethics 1.6 Images of Globalization 1.7 Overview of the Book References Chapter 2: Pandemic Pasts. Experiences from History 2.1 Introduction 2.2 The Black Death 2.3 The Blue Death 2.4 The Spanish Flu 2.5 Pandemic Experiences 2.6 Conclusion References Chapter 3: Emerging Infectious Diseases 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Emerging Infections 3.3 The Illusion of Conquest 3.4 Microbial Traffic 3.5 Virosphere 3.6 Viral Threats 3.7 The Source of Covid-19 3.8 Conclusion References Chapter 4: Diverging Policy Responses 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Variability of Policies Within Countries; The Example of the Netherlands 4.3 Variability of Policies Between Countries 4.4 Policy Strategies 4.5 Global Challenges 4.5.1 Testing Capacity 4.5.2 Shortages 4.5.3 Lack of Coordination and Cooperation 4.6 Conclusion References Chapter 5: Diverging Facts and Values 5.1 Introduction 5.2 The Second Wave 5.3 Continuing Waves 5.4 Evidence, Uncertainty and Risk 5.4.1 The Numbers Game 5.4.2 Risk Rituals 5.4.3 The Precautionary Principle 5.4.4 The Role of Experts 5.4.5 The Impact of Social Media 5.5 Controversies 5.5.1 The Origin of the Virus 5.5.2 The Characteristics of the Virus 5.5.3 Symptomatology 5.5.4 Infectiousness 5.5.5 Transmission 5.5.6 Distancing 5.5.7 Masking 5.5.8 Immunity 5.5.9 Vulnerability 5.5.10 Role of Animals 5.6 Conclusion References Chapter 6: Linking Experience and Reflection 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Pandemic Language 6.2.1 Fighting Covid-19 6.2.2 Implications of the War Metaphor 6.2.3 The Difficulty with Military Language 6.3 Changing Language and Experience 6.4 The Ecological Perspective 6.4.1 Connectedness 6.4.2 Balance 6.5 Common Home 6.6 Conclusion References Chapter 7: Treatment, Care, and Ethics 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Healthcare Professionals 7.3 Patients 7.4 Standards of Care 7.5 Medication and Research 7.6 Intensive Care 7.7 Ethics of Care 7.8 Conclusion References Chapter 8: Prevention and Ethics 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Preparedness and Prevention 8.2.1 Preparedness 8.2.2 Prevention 8.3 Human Behavior 8.4 Vaccination 8.4.1 Development 8.4.2 Production 8.4.3 Distribution 8.4.4 Application 8.4.4.1 Prioritization Ethical Strategies Vulnerability Policy Deviations Practice Deviations 8.4.4.2 Expanding the Success of Programs Vaccine Hesitancy Voluntary or Mandatory Administration Vaccine Certificates 8.4.4.3 Global Vaccine Inequity 8.5 Conclusion References Chapter 9: Bioethics After Covid 9.1 Introduction 9.2 The Context of Global Health 9.3 The Ecological Perspective: Global Vulnerability 9.4 Structuring Ethical Concerns 9.4.1 Controllability 9.4.2 Exceptionality 9.4.3 Binarity 9.5 A New Modus Operandi for Bioethics 9.5.1 Relationality 9.5.2 Individual Versus Common Interests 9.5.3 National Versus Global Approaches 9.5.4 The Framework of Global Bioethics 9.6 The World After Corona 9.6.1 Evaluation of Policies 9.6.2 The Imperative of Prevention 9.6.3 Transforming Global Governance 9.6.4 Redirecting Globalization 9.7 Conclusion References Bibliography Index