Lisa Schwartz, PhD
Arnold L. Johnson Chair in Health Care Ethics
McMaster University

As major figures worldwide declare the COVID-19 pandemic to be “unprecedented times that warrant unprecedented intervention,” life as we know it has shifted drastically in response to new policies, emergency procedures, and pressures from resource allocation. Here we are faced with the question: Where should we draw our limits to protect our rights and the rights of those most vulnerable?

Lisa Schwartz gives insight into the bioethical considerations that underpin the difficult decisions currently being made to balance collective needs and safety. Schwartz’s current research, which involves collaborating with the WHO to explore the experiences of healthcare workers making triage decisions under the stresses of dwindling supplies, highlights the intense mental burden of these choices and the weaknesses in the existing system that resulted in this lack of support and resources.

“We live in mutual interdependence,” explains Schwartz. The policies being constructed need to reciprocate people’s sacrifices for the needs of the community. How can society ask frontline workers to continuously put themselves in danger if society cannot provide them with personal protective equipment, or take on the responsibility of physical distancing? What is being done to support people of low socioeconomic status who are at disproportionate risk?

“Any future measure of success should not just be the return to business as usual. Business as usual did not represent equity and we could be doing better on that. The best use of resources needs to be based on the best evidence and the shared values of our community.”

Expert Perspectives on Pandemics: Global Health Webinar Series 2020
This free webinar series explores transdisciplinary perspectives on pandemics in the context of COVID-19. View the series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4mpz0PbgCdl1JECVD8FVhxtcHhu9gODg
or through our WebEx Platform https://globalhealth.mcmaster.ca/2020-webinar-series%20

The COVID-19 emergency presents a global challenge to our health care systems, our economy and our ways of living. In the face of this unprecedented global health crisis, McMaster is dedicated to innovation and collaboration in the discovery of solutions to help combat COVID-19.

Take part in these webinars as experts delve into topics including flattening the curve, forecasting the new Coronavirus, cultural histories and reactions to past pandemics, and the search for a magic bullet. The series is part of the Master of Science in Global Health program's global health symposium, the program's capstone project.

DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed by attendees, participants, and speakers as part of this webinar series are those of the individuals stating them and are not representative of an ideological stance or public policy position by McMaster University or the Global Health Office.