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<p>This commentary on Johnson et al. (<CitationRef CitationID="CR14">2025</CitationRef>) argues that ethical justification of a public health policy is void if the underlying intervention has not been shown, beyond reasonable doubt, to be effective, necessary, proportionate, and safe. I respond to Johnson et al.’s (<CitationRef CitationID="CR14">2025</CitationRef>) explorations with examples of coercive policies during the COVID-19 crisis. Frequently, the scientific evidence underpinning pandemic response measures has shifted, weakening or nullifying their original purpose. Such measures can no longer be ethically justified, and contemporary concerns regarding lockdown and mask policies as well as vaccination requirements were not properly considered by public health authorities.</p>

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Ethical justification of coercive public health policies must be premised upon their safety and efficacy

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月3日

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  • Claus Rinner

摘要

This commentary on Johnson et al. (2025) argues that ethical justification of a public health policy is void if the underlying intervention has not been shown, beyond reasonable doubt, to be effective, necessary, proportionate, and safe. I respond to Johnson et al.’s (2025) explorations with examples of coercive policies during the COVID-19 crisis. Frequently, the scientific evidence underpinning pandemic response measures has shifted, weakening or nullifying their original purpose. Such measures can no longer be ethically justified, and contemporary concerns regarding lockdown and mask policies as well as vaccination requirements were not properly considered by public health authorities.