疫病大流行结束的概念分析及其伦理学含义

A Conceptual Analysis of the End of an Epidemic and Its Ethical Implications

自我国正式宣布新冠疫情基本结束后,有关疫病大流行是否真正结束有许多争议。对疫病大流行“结束”这一概念的不同理解会影响我们判定和宣布疫病大流行结束的行动,因此需要对“结束”概念进行分析并说明其规范性意义。通过对大流行演变的历史事实和现实世界的实际情况可以看出,疫情结束的概念应包含生物学层面与社会层面,在判定和宣布疫情结束时既要考虑病原体和疾病是否消灭,也要考虑地域、时间和人群传播等因素,新冠疫情在这种意义上已经转变为局限性疾病。这一概念分析蕴含的伦理学含义在于,当一场疫病大流行转变为可控的局限性疾病时,我们应该做什么,如何进行决策。

After declared the basic end of the COVID-19 pandemic in China,there has been much debate about whether the pandemic has truly ended.Different interpretations of the “ending” may impact our actions in determining and announcing the end of the pandemic,so it is necessary to analyze and explain the normative significance of this “ending” concept.Based on historical facts of pandemics and the current real-world situation,it is evident that the concept of pandemic ending should encompass both biological and social aspects.When determining and announcing the end of a pandemic,factors such as the eradication of the pathogen and disease,as well as considerations of geographical,temporal,and population transmission,should be considered.In this sense,COVID-19 pandemic has transformed into a localized disease.The ethical implications embedded in this concept analysis revolve around what actions should be taken and how decisions should be made when a pandemic transitions into a manageable localized disease.