- #1
- 2,350
- 124
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080114/hl_nm/birdflu_rights_dc_3
Last edited by a moderator:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080114/hl_nm/birdflu_rights_dc_3By Maggie Fox, Health and Science Editor
WASHINGTON (Reuters) Jan 14 - U.S. policy in preparing for a potential bird flu pandemic is veering dangerously toward a heavy-handed law-enforcement approach, the American Civil Liberties Union said on Monday.
The group, which advocates for individuals' legal rights based on the U.S. Constitution, said federal government pandemic plans were confusing and could emphasize a police and military approach to outbreaks of disease, instead of a more sensible public health approach.
"Rather than focusing on well-established measures for protecting the lives and health of Americans, policymakers have recently embraced an approach that views public health policy through the prism of national security and law enforcement," the ACLU report reads.
Article 1, Section 9 states, "The privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it."
Maybe they learn from past experience.chemisttree said:Likewise, the state of Louisiana declared a state of martial law after Katrina or what passed for it (a state of public health emergency) which allowed the governor to suspend laws, order evacuations, and limit the sales of items such as alcohol and firearms. Where was the ACLU then?
U.S. pandemic plans refer to the protocols and strategies put in place by the government to respond to a potential pandemic or widespread outbreak of a disease.
Some people argue that U.S. pandemic plans, such as mandatory quarantines and restrictions on travel and gatherings, could infringe on civil rights such as freedom of movement and assembly.
Yes, during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, there were reports of individuals being quarantined against their will, and some were even arrested for refusing to comply with quarantine orders.
The U.S. government has guidelines and laws in place to ensure that civil rights are protected during a pandemic. This includes the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin.
It is important for government officials to carefully consider the implications of their pandemic plans on civil rights and to strike a balance between protecting public health and upholding individual rights. This may involve implementing measures such as targeted quarantines and providing ample education and resources for individuals to comply with guidelines without infringing on their rights.