Politicians appeal to our sense of fairness in the battle against COVID-19

April 27, 2020

Peter Wall Distinguished Professor Max Cameron authored an op-ed with Peter Wall Institute Associate Judy Illes about the inequalities and injustices amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

They say that in countries where dysfunctional politics leads to incoherent policy responses, and mixed messages to the public, COVID-19 will take an even deadlier toll. Beyond the obvious imperative of physical distancing, practising good hygiene and staying home to flatten the epidemic curve, they say our ethical challenge is to harness fairness in the fight against COVID-19.

Max Cameron is a Professor in the Department of Political Science at UBC that specializes in comparative politics (Latin America), constitutionalism, democracy, and political economy. He was recently a guest on Ways of Knowing, the Peter Wall Institute’s podcast.

Judy Illes is a Professor of Neurology and Canada Research Chair in Neuroethics at UBC. She is also the Director of Neuroethics Canada, and faculty in the Centre for Brain Health at UBC, as well as the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute.

Both Cameron and Illes are PWIAS Trustees.