1-Minute Insight: The moral dilemma facing leaders managing COVID

Last night, I had the opportunity to listen to an interesting conversation on the role of leaders managing the pandemic. At issue is whether the leader should impose hardships — like mask mandates and lock-downs — on the majority in order to protect the minority.

One side is of the view that these are the rules. If the minority knows the rules and willing chooses not to abide by them, then we should let them suffer the consequence of their actions. Including death. The other view is that all lives matter, and it is right that the majority endure hardship if necessary to protect the minority.

I had no answer, and I spent most of last evening contemplating this moral dilemma.

My conclusion …. the leader’s role is to lead (and care for) everyone in their charge. Not just those who follow the rules, and even for those who did not vote for them. And, if this means getting the majority to suffer because of the minority, then this is the leader’s moral responsibility.

The converse to this is deciding on an arbitrary threshold and saying that below this number, the lives don’t matter. But what is the correct number? Do we make exceptions for those less educated? How about those better off? How about those who cannot be vaccinated for legitimate reasons? These are impossible questions to answer and, as a leader, I could never make those decisions.

Perhaps I am weak and should not be a leader but, the only answer I can live with is to protect everyone. Or at least do my level best to.