Coronavirus vs Human Rights: Balance or Conflict


Posted September 8, 2020 by stilsonlewis

It always seems to be a struggle to create a balance between personal liberty or freedom and the freedoms and safety of others.

 
It always seems to be a struggle to create a balance between personal liberty or freedom and the freedoms and safety of others. "Do I have the right to play my music loudly at any time of the night or day?" must be balanced against the next door neighbor asking "Do I have the right for my baby to have an afternoon nap?" These variations, and sometimes seeming contradictions, find ways to coexist as societies grow and individuals want to keep affinity and peace in the community. The nature of the community can make quite a difference. Sometimes it is as obvious as the differences in living way out in the country or living in a big apartment building in the city. If no one can hear the music, no one else is affected by it, so you are free to play it as loudly as you like. If you are in the city, sometimes even music played at a level that seems moderate can disturb the person who shares the other side of your walls. The extreme example used most often in the US is often the one about Freedom of Speech does Not make it ok to yell "Fire!" in a crowded theatre, unless there really is a fire. I am sure you can see how this is a useful rule of thumb.

Right now, because of Coronavirus, most of us are making allowances and agreeing to temporary variations of our personal liberties for the good of our families, friends, groups, and perhaps humankind as a whole. We have allowed for some curtailment of Human Right number 13, Freedom to Move. We do this to stay safe ourselves, and protect others by keeping the Coronavirus as contained as possible to the areas where there seem to be spikes in the number of cases. Contact tracing is another thing. The Right to Privacy is
Human Right number 12. It can feel quite invasive to report, even if you can remember, all the people you were around during a particular period of time. Many of us take it upon ourselves to call the people we may have exposed to this virus.

Human Right number29 is Responsibility. In publication called "What are Human Rights" it is stated simply as,"We have a duty other people, and we should protect their rights and freedoms." That seems to be the most appropriate way to balance it out. We are responsible for the welfare of others. This comes naturally to most of us when are building a family. We can expand the concept.
"Human Rights must be made a reality, not just an idealistic dream.", L. Ron Hubbard.www.youthforhumanrights.org.
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Issued By Martha Stilsons
Country United States
Categories Baby , Law
Tags duty , freedoms , health and safety , responsibility , rights
Last Updated September 8, 2020