The American journal of bioethics : AJOB
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There are three broad ethical issues related to handling public health emergencies. They are the three R's-rationing, restrictions and responsibilities. ⋯ What ethical principles should guide rationing decisions, what data should inform these decisions, how to revise decisions as new data emerge, and how to implement rationing decisions on the ground are all important considerations. In addition, ethicists might be able to help policy makers think through the importance of international cooperation in surmounting global rationing dilemmas and to accept the inevitable responsibilities of government in making and implementing rationing decisions.