News > COVID-19: Without Fixed, Evidence-Based Guidelines, Doctors Are at Risk of Doing Harm

COVID-19: Without Fixed, Evidence-Based Guidelines, Doctors Are at Risk of Doing Harm

Many experts and journalists have reported on the Indian government’s mismanagement of the country’s COVID-19 crisis. Indeed, should we investigate governments’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide, we will find evidence of negligence in many countries. 

The burden of proof is on the organisation seeking to perform the risky act. The Wingspread statement of 1998 embedded it in public health: “When an activity raises threats of harm to human health or the environment, precautionary measures should be taken even if some cause and effect relationships are not fully established scientifically.”