Please wear a mask: a systematic case for mask wearing mandates

Fumagalli, Roberto (2023) Please wear a mask: a systematic case for mask wearing mandates. Journal of Medical Ethics. ISSN 0306-6800

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Abstract

This paper combines considerations from ethics, medicine and public health policy to articulate and defend a systematic case for mask wearing mandates (MWM). The paper argues for two main claims of general interest in favour of MWM. First, MWM provide a more effective, just and fair way to tackle the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic than policy alternatives such as laissez-faire approaches, mask wearing recommendations and physical distancing measures. And second, the proffered objections against MWM may justify some exemptions for specific categories of individuals, but do not cast doubt on the justifiability of these mandates. Hence, unless some novel decisive objections are put forward against MWM, governments should adopt MWM.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	© 2023 Author(s).
Divisions:	Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method
Subjects:	R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
Date Deposited:	26 Apr 2023 15:12
Last Modified:	18 Nov 2024 22:06
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/118727

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