The University of the West Indies.

The UWI COVID-19 TASK Force has published a handbook outlining ethical principles to guide the responses of Caribbean governments and policymakers in managing the COVID-19 pandemic.

The handbook was authored by two members of the Task Force – Dr. Anna Kasafi Perkins, an ethics specialist, and Professor R. Clive Landis, a cardiovascular research expert who chairs the COVID-19 Task Force. Professor Landis, who is based at The UWI’s Cave Hill Campus, is also Pro Vice-Chancellor for Undergraduate Studies.

The free eBook is entitled Ethics Amidst COVID-19: A Brief Ethics Handbook for Caribbean Policymakers and Leaders.

Its objective is to help decision-makers navigate the ethical dilemmas arising from the mix of medical, social, economic and other issues posed by COVID-19. It is available for free download via this link.

The book is divided into four parts, including an introduction with subsequent sections exploring relevant ethical principles.

Real and adapted case studies are also presented to further illustrate the application of key principles in what are often morally complex circumstances which need careful judgement based on a principle-based approach. It also includes an extensive bibliography for further reading and consultation.

As members of The UWI COVID-19 Task Force, Dr. Perkins and Professor Landis prepared the handbook as part of the regional university’s mandate to provide accurate and reliable information in the wake of the pandemic.

They hope that it will encourage ethical commitment and action among Caribbean decision-makers who bear different ethical burdens to those of the ordinary citizen, particularly in their responsibility to make rules, and impose policies that affect the lives of entire nations and peoples.

The University of the West Indies

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