[Bioethics in times of pandemic]

Area of Science:

• Pediatric infectious diseases
• Bioethics
• Healthcare ethics

Background:

• COVID-19 disproportionately affects adults more than children.
• Healthcare professionals face significant ethical challenges during the pandemic.
• Balancing professional duty with personal safety is a major concern.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the ethical considerations for healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To examine the moral limits of risk-taking in professional practice.
• To assess the importance of personal protective equipment (PPE) in mitigating risks.

Main Methods:

• Ethical analysis
• Bioethical principles
• Literature review on pandemic ethics

Main Results:

• Healthcare workers grapple with the moral imperative to provide care versus the risk of infection.
• Difficulties in obtaining adequate safety equipment exacerbate ethical concerns.
• Bioethics provides a framework for addressing these complex moral issues.

Conclusions:

• Bioethics is a crucial tool for navigating the ethical dilemmas presented by the COVID-19 pandemic for pediatric healthcare providers.
• Addressing the need for proper safety equipment is vital for ethical practice.
• Further ethical discourse is needed to support healthcare professionals.