Pandemics and Civil Rights

[exploited]

Let's say that there is a really terrible disease ravishing a foreign country. All of a sudden it starts showing up in a major American city. After a day or two, thousands of people are sick, and due to the incubation period of the disease, it is likely that tens or even hundreds of thousands more have contracted it. This disease is lethal, and can be spread through simple means like handshakes or coughing. It is extremely contagious. Hell, for the sake of debate, you could even consider it something silly like "zombieism."

Should the Federal Government declare a national emergency and institute martial law in that city or state? Should the various ports and public transit options be forcibly closed? Do you think that it is possible to prevent the spread of disease, and to establish an effective quarantine, in a country of 300,000,000? Finally, do you think that armed resistance to soldiers would be a legitimate response, or would you consider such groups unintelligent terrorists?

[The Comrade]

lock that region down, kill anyone trying to escape, burn bodies as they fall in the street.

[The Dharma Bum]

when its every man for themselves anything goes

[Professor]

I think that the government can, and will, do exactly that. IF they could isolate a town, then they'd do it. I've even read the regulations allowing the govt to confine people to their houses and requirements that they accept inoculations/vaccines, or be put in jail.

But, with the way people travel these days, I doubt it'd be localized.

However, there could be a scenario where the govt would cordon off an area that was UNinfected. Let's say that all the major cities have outbreaks. They might prevent people from going to Smalltown, USA. Or, more realistically, those towns (or ever state national guards) would prevent it. Kind of like how they prevented people from entering New Orleans after Katrina, except instead of preventing people from entering a flooded town, they prevent them from entering a healthy town.

[eynon81]

one of the first things you learn in lawl school is that civil rights go away during an epidemic.

[Dylan]

I'd be dead super super quickly so uh, good luck guys. Don't cry for me.

[Professor]

BTW, is someone (else) watching The Last Ship? Entertaining show. Not 10 best or anything, but good to waste 40 minutes with.

[eynon81]

[exploited]

Yeah I'm totally good. Well armed farmers that grow every crop imaginable. Top notch health care. Its all good for me bros.

[eynon81]

ammo? are we shooting the pox or something?