Privacy versus Public Safety

[Bynary Fission]

Re: Privacy versus Public Safety

I think that for a very simple solution to the question at hand is to have the student talk to a guidance counselor or school psychiatrist about their situation and the responsibility the student has if they do have the disease. I think that if the consequences are throughly explained to the student with the addition of their parent just had died from it the student will inherently take up a certain level of responsibility.
If you think about the idea of 'word of mouth' information exchange if the information was disclosed to ANYONE who isnt apart of helping the problem then the child in question would likely be scarred for life and tormented by the possible things that could happen if word got out to the student populace. So i believe that if the proper precautions are taken such as the idea i proposed above then there is no need to leak information that is more damaging than helpful.

As far as the moral question of privacy versus general safety i am indifferent as i think that it varies in each specific situation.

This does tie back to what I said. Things that can affect others in some way, whether compromising safety and personal health or causing a positive, negative, or neutral reaction, then it should be known. After all, if somebody had a cold, this can cause a negative chain of reactions, such as getting others sick, causing other people to miss out on school, etc.

Yes, if you want to keep something a secret, but it should not be kept simply because it compromises the safety of others, then at least tell those who could have an external impact upon the secret that is kept, and thus, the situation that accompanies it. Like you mentioned, a school psychologist and the like would be an excellent choice to reveal the secret to, so that they can follow with due action.

I believe that this person has every right to keep it completely secret. HIV is something that is a personal problem and they should be allowed to keep it as such, personal. I do believe that if the child is HIV positive and knows that they are, they have a personal responsibility to tell their partner later in life if they decide to get intimate. It would be immoral to have sex with your partner and not tell them.

HIV is personal, but if there is a chance that somebody may catch it from you...really, I don't think it's fair that you be selfish and keep it to yourself instead of share it with others and help them prevent the rick of getting a terminable illness, even outside of sexual relationships.


~Bynary Fission