Journal Article

Danger

Bauer, Gabrielle

2022

Overview

The precautionary principle (a.k.a. “just in case”) has driven the global response to Covid from the get-go. Just in case plexiglass barriers help stop the spread. Just in case the park swings harbor the virus. It’s a policy approach that dates back to the 1970s, when politicians invoked the German principle of Vorsorge — literally, “pre-concern” — to justify tougher environmental measures. The phrase “abundance of caution” captures the precautionary principle in a more literary way. It has a lofty sound to it, connoting wisdom and restraint. The locution exploded in popularity in the spring of 2020 and has since become a go-to apology for Covid restrictions. “Out of an abundance of caution,” a Toronto school closed for a week after an itinerant staff member tested positive. “Out of an abundance of caution,” the U.S. Department of Agriculture advised people with Covid to keep distance from their pets. “Out of abundance of caution,” Singapore required quarantine for incoming travelers who had antibodies after recovering from Covid, on the chance they were infected with a new variant. “Out of an abundance of caution,” the Biden administration issued new travel bans in response to the Omicron variant. It’s far past time we ask ourselves when abundance really means excess, when our precautionary measures against Covid have gone too far, when we have ignored the costs and lost all sense of proportionality.

• Publisher: Center for the Study of Technology and Society,Ethics And Public Policy Center
• Subject: Affluence / Agriculture / Agriculture departments / Antibodies / Apologies / Essays & Reviews / Pets / Popularity / Precautionary principle / Principles / Quarantine