There has been an ongoing debate that whether it is the responsibility of individuals to prevent the disease or is the role of the government too. From my perspective, both views are equally valid but, if I were to stick to the one idea, I would side with the second option.
On one hand, individuals must be able to take care of themselves. There are thousands of new or mutated diseases being discovered annually, and it is the responsibility of humans to be aware of them. With the advancement of technology, people are likely to get information from the immediate source, making it easier to be ahead of time. For instance, if a pandemic occurs, the majority of the tv stations warn people by news reports or post the news on social platforms like Twitter and Facebook. Moreover, parents should teach their children basic hygiene routines such as washing their hands, brushing teeth, and taking a shower, as it helps them to become responsible and hygienic adults in the future.
On the other hand, the government should do its job, protecting its citizens. Using the tax money which is made up of a certain percentage of workers’ wages, authorities can fund a better health system and a more convenient lifestyle. To illustrate this, in Mongolia, all the newborn babies are demanded to get vaccinated within a given month; ensuring the baby’s immune system is fully developed. All those vaccines are imported from foreign countries with high cost; however, government insists to care its people. Additionally, the authorities play a big role in encouraging heathy lifestyle and a disease-free nation by running a numerous type of campaign works namely, “One soap equals to one smile” and “Awareness of HIVs” and so on.
In conclusion, both the government and individuals play a crucial role in preventing diseases in their own ways. Although they are simultaneously needed, I think that the role of the government is greater than individuals.