State Police Power [WLOs: 1, 2] [CLOs: 2, 4, 5]
Prior beginning work on this discussion forum, read Chapter 4 of Public Health: What It Is and How It Works about the growth of public health through governmental action and policy. A particular area of interest is in the state’s police powers, the ability of public health concerns to severely limit or restrict a person’s rights out of concern for public safety. The COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns are a recent example of this power.
- Highlight two real-world examples where you believe it is within the ethical and legal boundaries for a public health official to limit someone’s personal freedoms in favor of public safety. Support each scenario with at least one credible source (it does not have to be scholarly). Note: You cannot use the COVID pandemic as one of your examples.
- Do you believe this legal ability should remain, or is it potentially outdated and invasive? Explain why or why not.
