How Should Autonomy of Persons Experiencing Homelessness Be Balanced with Public Health during a Pandemic?

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic underscores long-standing challenges to the health of persons experiencing homelessness. This case commentary considers primary care clinicians' response to a patient who declines COVID-19 testing and isolation. This article also considers other outbreaks in the United States in which the autonomy of persons with low income or persons of color was neglected and calls for community engagement, policies that center interests of marginalized groups, and economic relief, including supportive housing.