Immunity Passports: Technology’s Role in Shaping Healthcare
Mentor Information
Raman Sachdev (Department of Philosophy)
Description
With the rise of an unprecedented global pandemic, the relevancy of digital technology has played a significant role in shaping the climate of future interactions. The COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has left companies and organizations at the mercy of technology in continuing workplace progress. Likewise, governments across the globe are looking to technology to curate solutions to problems caused by the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2. To stop the spread of the coronavirus, several countries have closed their borders. However, countries such as the United States, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom have proposed the idea of using technology to instead filter visitors and grant access to those who have obtained an immunity passport. An immunity passport is granted to those who have already been infected with the coronavirus and thus possess antibodies. With a simple phone application, people will be able to receive an immunity passport by answering just a few questions about their medical history and interaction with COVID-19. This would allow the individual to essentially revert back to traveling places, such as work and school, within and even outside of the country. While it may seem efficient in theory, such findings would inform that this simplified approach fails to recognize key ethical, legal, and medical circumstances that stunt a clear execution of the plan. Understanding the nuances of technological advances within the healthcare field will allow for better utilization and allocation of digital resources in future medical care.
Immunity Passports: Technology’s Role in Shaping Healthcare
With the rise of an unprecedented global pandemic, the relevancy of digital technology has played a significant role in shaping the climate of future interactions. The COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has left companies and organizations at the mercy of technology in continuing workplace progress. Likewise, governments across the globe are looking to technology to curate solutions to problems caused by the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2. To stop the spread of the coronavirus, several countries have closed their borders. However, countries such as the United States, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom have proposed the idea of using technology to instead filter visitors and grant access to those who have obtained an immunity passport. An immunity passport is granted to those who have already been infected with the coronavirus and thus possess antibodies. With a simple phone application, people will be able to receive an immunity passport by answering just a few questions about their medical history and interaction with COVID-19. This would allow the individual to essentially revert back to traveling places, such as work and school, within and even outside of the country. While it may seem efficient in theory, such findings would inform that this simplified approach fails to recognize key ethical, legal, and medical circumstances that stunt a clear execution of the plan. Understanding the nuances of technological advances within the healthcare field will allow for better utilization and allocation of digital resources in future medical care.
