[Ethical approach to the issue of confinement of the elderly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic: Prevention of frailty versus risk of vulnerability].

COVID-19 pandemic particularly affects older people and exposes them to a higher risk of mortality. Containment, social distancing and isolation measures have been implemented to limit viral transmission. While there is a clear rationale for reducing the contagiousness of the infection through this means, the adverse consequences of this social isolation, especially for this heterogeneous, aged and frail people, are difficult to apprehend. In particular, the disruption of the usual support and care ecosystems at home or in institutions may paradoxically increase the frailty of these people and lead to adverse events we wanted to avoid. On the other hand, the risk of a decrease in the older person's empowerment regarding his or her own health and social life decisions requires particular vigilance to prevent the risk of societal ageism. Regarding this population in particular, a possible conflict of values between individual and collective protection on one hand and respect for autonomy and independence on the other hand could exist. This article proposes an ethical reflection on the issue of containment of frail ageing people, based on medical ethics principles, in order to open up positive approaches of vulnerability that guarantee respect for the dignity of the person and equity in care access.