A physician’s primary duty during a public health emergency like the COVID pandemic is to protect the health of the community. \r\rIn a quarantine situation, each individual physician’s role is to engender cooperation by communicating clearly and by acknowledging the natural fears and feelings of powerlessness that infectious disease outbreaks create. In some circumstances, however, when persuasion fails and a patient poses a risk to others but won't voluntarily adhere to isolation, physicians should support mandatory quarantine. \r\rThe AMA Code of Medical Ethics (E-8.4) states that during a public health crisis, it is a physician’s duty to: \r\rEducate patients and the public about the nature of the public health threat, potential harm to others, and benefits of quarantine and isolation. \rEncourage patients to adhere voluntarily to quarantine and isolation. \rSupport mandatory quarantine and isolation when a patient fails to adhere voluntarily. \rInform patients about and comply with mandatory public health reporting requirements.