The "Bystander at the Switch" Revisited? Ethical Implications of the Government Strategies Against COVID-19.

Suppose COVID-19 is the runaway tram in the famous moral thought experiment, known as the "Bystander at the Switch." Consider the two differentiated responses of governments around the world to this new threat, namely the option of quarantine/lockdown and herd immunity. Can we contrast the hypothetical with the real scenario? What do the institutional decisions and strategies for dealing with the virus, in the beginning of 2020, signify in a normative moral framework? This paper investigates these possibilities in order to highlight the similarities and, more importantly, the differences that exist between utilitarianism and Kantian ethics.

Carbon emissions and sustainability in Covid-19's waves: evidence from a two-state dynamic Markov-switching regression (MSR) model.

Throughout the world, carbon emissions have decreased in an unprecedented way as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether a rebound effect in carbon emissions is anticipated following the extraction of information related to the beliefs of investors. A suitable Markov switching model is used in this paper to adapt the safe haven financial methodology to an environmental sustainability perspective.

Connective-tissue root coverage using microsurgery.

Use of the operating microscope and microsurgical instrumentation has made possible modifications in conventional root coverage procedures that eliminate vertical incisions, papillary elevation, and secondary intention wound healing. Greater precision in incisions and suturing done with microsurgery allows clinicians to obtain predictable root coverage with more aesthetic postoperative results and reduced patient discomfort.

A comparison of papillary retention versus full-thickness flaps with internal mattress sutures in anterior periodontal surgery.

Esthetic considerations pose therapeutic dilemmas in the selection of surgical techniques in anterior periodontal surgery. Two surgical techniques designed to maximize postoperative esthetics in the anterior regions are described. Changes in interdental papillary height are reported and compared at 1 year postoperative.

Use of the operating microscope in dentistry.

Microsurgery is a discipline of multiple surgical procedures performed with optical magnification and illumination. The operating microscope has recently been introduced in dentistry. Magnification improves the performance of fixed prosthodontic laboratory and clinical procedures.