This article by Adrienne
LaFrance, a senior associate editor at The
Atlantic, explores the concept of quarantining the ill and its difference
from isolating the ill. She informs the reader about the concept of
quarantining which means to cut off a person from the rest of society and talks
about many different cases of quarantining the diseased and mention some cases
that are surprisingly in recent human history. LaFrance even goes back more
into human history, mentioning the Old Testament and how the lepers were separated
from the rest of society. Quarantining has even been used in cases for
smallpox, 14th century’s outbreak in Europe, and for a short time
for the astronauts returning from space in case of ‘moon germs’. The problem
with quarantining is that it somewhat violates human rights, but it is for the
greater good and majority of society therefore it has been debated quite a lot
in the past and still to this day. Modern ‘quarantining’ more improved because
it is more of an isolation than an actual quarantine. Isolation is the
separation of ill to stop the spread of diseases while quarantining is restricting
of the rights of a human being for the good of the population. The article ends
with a view from the opposing perspective, telling the story of Hawaiian
legend, “Koolau the Leper” and how he resisted being treated like a criminal
and forcefully being moved away from his family when he did not commit crime
nor any wrongs.
Adrienne
LaFrance seems to, based on her writing, agree with both the fact that the
government should respect the rights of all people and the fact that
quarantining is a necessity for society to function properly. She is informative
and shows very little of her opinion in the matter. She informs in a reliable
way by constantly quoting professionals and by being unbiased toward the topic.
She is strictly informing and uses generalizing pronouns to address the
audience as a whole. LaFrance ends well with a story of a Hawaiian legend
leaving the reader to stop and give a thought about the concept and modern uses
of quarantining.
http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/08/the-quarantine-next-door/375465/
http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/08/the-quarantine-next-door/375465/
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