Governmental rights during crisis

On May 29, I watched a Zoom class taught by Professor Elizabeth Joh as part of the COVID-19 Town Hall series primarily  for upper-division undergraduate students in the College of Biological Sciences. Dean Mark Winey introduced Professor Joh.

Professor Joh talked about the constitutional law issues raised by governments’ response to the global pandemic. She began by focusing on the relative powers of the state and federal governments. States have broad police power to protect the health and safety of all residents. At the same time, the U.S. Constitution protects certain individual rights. At times, government regulation must give way to individual rights, such as free speech rights. At times of emergency, however, such as a pandemic, governments’ powers are greater.

Clear and engaging as always, Professor Joh offered fascinating legal insights. The students were amazingly engaged and offered thoughts and questions through the Zoom “chat” function.

Professor Joh was a great closer for the final installment of the COVID-19 Town Hall series.