Pandemia COVID-19 jako możliwość trwałego ograniczenia praw obywatelskich

The Covid-19 pandemic has had far-reaching effects, which are primarily being felt in the functioning of the health service, the organization of social life, and the state of the national economy. But it is, nevertheless, worth paying attention to the legal and political consequences which are less obvious and noticeable for average citizens. One of the most important is the change in legislation which entails limiting civil liberties and rights. This article is on empirical proof of how Polish legislation is reducing fundamental rights. The authorities in combatting the pandemic are not using the solutions that appear in the Polish Constitution, but use the non-constitutional form of special laws. The author, therefore, when discussing the problem refers to US legislation and policy which has the notable example of the "Patriotic Act" which can be interpreted as being a pretext for limiting civil liberties in the name of combating terrorism. The authors conclude by stating that emergency situations, such as the current pandemic or the threat of terrorism, are used to permanently and significantly reduce civil rights.