IF your gay brother was dying of AIDS, would you deny him the resources to save his life? If your sister attempted suicide, would your prefer that the paramedics let her bleed out? And if your overweight father- bless his soul- had a stroke or cardiac arrest, is it better that society just let him pass... given that he didn't look after himself and all?

This crisis raises no unique issues as far as society is concerned. First we try our best to save anyone in a life-threatening situation. If the same kind of life-threatening situation continues, we develop a longer-range strategy. The greatest danger to us all comes from those who would, in a panic, unwisely call for Draconian measures that would damage everyone. 

As with health crises in the past, we will successfully deal with this one. In the meantime, please don't write off your brother, sister, father or anyone else who suffers from the human condition.