Special: Pandemic Ethics in a Children's Hospital - Refusal of Covid-19 Testing

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Essential Ethics

Health & Fitness


A 5-year-old boy is brought to the ED with high fever, lethargy, cough and breathing difficulties. There is no contact with a COVID-19 case or overseas travel. The boy has moderately severe autistic spectrum disorder associated with a fear of medical procedures. His mother refuses a COVID-19 nasal and throat swab on the basis that it will severely upset him and set his ASD treatment back. Is it acceptable to accede to mother’s wishes and not do a COVID swab? Professor John Massie navigates the issue with Professor Lynn Gillam.