Abstract
This article reflects on social distancing measures in the covid-19 pandemic scenario, based on a bioethical perspective in public health. The research also discusses conflicts between respecting social distancing measures and individual freedoms, using reports available from online newspapers to exemplify relevant arguments and contribute to the overall debate. The topic was analyzed on the basis of principlism and social bioethics, in an attempt to uncover elements that may guide the decision-making process. The article concludes that bioethics is an instrumental tool for healthcare users and professionals, emphasizing the State’s responsibility to prevent diseases and ensure health. Finally, we argue that the need to deal with immediate public-health risks should prevail over individualism.
Ethics; Bioethics; Coronavirus infections; Public health