Moral decisions in the megastorm
As Hurricane Sandy bore down on the barrier islands of New Jersey, Gov. Chris Christie gave stubborn residents one more thing to worry about. Their decisions to defy evacuation orders, he suggested, were “selfish” and morally unjustified.
“This is putting first responders in significant, significant danger” as they prepare to rescue the uncooperative, the Republican governor said as the storm winds pummeled the shorelines in late October. “It is not fair to their families for you [on the islands] to be putting them in that danger because you decided that you wanted to be hardheaded.”
The ethical debate continued along with the cleanup of Sandy. The idea of evacuation as a moral duty has gained traction among some local officials, theologians and hurricane survivors. But others find the notion misguided, uncompassionate and a threat to individual liberties.
