What measures should be taken to control the spread of infectious disease? How do you weigh public health and individual rights to make appropriate decisions?
The “Discussion on the Advisability of the Registration of Tuberculosis” and Leavitt’s “Typhoid Mary” discuss what powers health officials should have over the lives and rights of individuals.
These debates recurred repeatedly throughout the 20th century: can states require children to receive immunizations? Can patients with tuberculosis be confined to hospitals to receive antibiotics?
Should public health authorities have the right to confine people, as was done with Mary Mallon, to keep them from spreading the disease?
Should all patients with AIDS be reported to health officials, as has been done with tuberculosis and syphilis, do that their behavior can be monitored?
One official at the CDC is interested in your thoughts on the topic. Things are crazy here at the CDC, so keep your answer short (between 150-200 words).
When you mention specific material from the texts or use quotations, provide adequate citations (author, page number).
