THE COVID-19 coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, has hit health care systems and the way of life around the world and created many ethical controversies.
The World Health Organisation has stressed that governments, medical organisations and relevant parties need guidance to ensure ethical conduct of research, decision making in clinical care, and public health policymaking. It is evident that ethics has become a key issue that must be addressed.
The Bioethics Resource Centre of the Holy Spirit Seminary College of Theology and Philosophy in Hong Kong organised a conference in mid-September to encourage society to reflect on the health care and allow experts all over the world to share their views in terms of faith and health care experience.
As of mid-September, 940,000 people had died of Covid-19 worldwide, with Hong Kong reporting just over 100 deaths. The crisis has prompted consideration on how the disease prevention measures and medical care arrangements can be improved. The Church has suggested that human dignity and the principle of unity and complementarity espoused in its social teaching be adopted as the basis to deal with the pandemic.
The provision of disease prevention supplies such as facemasks is stable again. However, certain groups like the elderly who live alone, ethnic minorities and street sleepers still lack the supplies to protect themselves. Recently, the Hong Kong Catholic Commission for Labour Affairs convened a press conference in which a non-governmental representative reminded everyone that when cleaners suffer, all citizens suffer. The government should provide workers with basic equipment in line with the public good. While the Commission for Labour Affairs called for improved measures, it continues to share resources with low-income people, including cleaners.
Given that the death rate of elderly infected with Covid-19 is higher than other age groups, it has become a great concern whether or not this most vulnerable group is receiving appropriate assistance. More importantly, interpersonal relationships have been impacted due to social distancing measures.
There seems to be no end in sight. Many hope that Covid-19 vaccines will be ready soon. However, scholars point out that research and development, and the process of inoculation might be a serious concern because some vaccines are being developed using human embryonic cells. This will raise ethical questions if they are brought to market.
Even if vaccines are developed ethically, how can they be made available to everyone, regardless of whether they are poor or rich? On the other hand, can people refuse the vaccines that have not met internationally recognised standards during the development process?
The pandemic has highlighted economic inequality and exacerbated the burden of the poor. Various kinds of inequality have been excacerbated: some children continue to receive an education, while for many, many others this has been interrupted. Some countries can issue money to deal with the crisis, while this would mean mortgaging the future for others. These are signs of inequality, revealing a specific illness. Pope Francis pointed out, “These symptoms of inequality reveal a social illness; it is a virus that comes from a sick economy.”
To tackle the pandemic, only a heart that loves people and community can come out of the coming difficult situation. SE
