Applying a Precautionary Approach to Mobile Contact Tracing for COVID-19: The Value of Reversibility.

摘要: The COVID-19 pandemic presents unprecedented challenges to public health decision-making. Specifically, the lack of evidence and urgency with which a response is called for, raise ethical challenge assessing how much (and what kind of) required for justification interventions in various threats we face. Here discuss intervention introducing technology that aims trace alert contacts infected persons-contact tracing (CT) technology. Determining whether such an proportional complicated by complex trade-offs feedback loops. We suggest resulting uncertainties necessitate precautionary approach. On one hand, reasons support CT as means contribute prevention harms caused alternative interventions, or itself. other however, both extent itself present risks serious harm, well its effectiveness, remain unclear. therefore argue approach should put reversibility at forefront. outline several practical implications.