Lockdowns: Did They Really Help? New Insights from Recent Studies
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Understanding the Impact of Lockdowns
The phrase “Stay home, stay safe” became a mantra during the pandemic. However, new findings suggest that isolating at home might have had unintended negative consequences.
According to a recent study, lockdowns only managed to decrease deaths by a mere 0.2% in the early stages of the pandemic. This stands in stark contrast to predictions made in early 2020 by researchers in London, who estimated that lockdowns could prevent up to 98% of Covid-related fatalities. The discrepancy between a 98% expectation and a 0.2% actual outcome is striking.
The Negative Fallout of Lockdowns
While the researchers at Johns Hopkins concluded that lockdowns had negligible effects on curbing Covid-19, they recognized the severe repercussions these measures had on the economy and society. The lockdowns led to economic downturns, disrupted education, increased instances of political unrest, heightened domestic violence, and even posed threats to democratic principles.
As a parent of school-aged children during this time, I witnessed firsthand the detrimental impact of lockdowns on their mental well-being. Studies support the notion that children suffered during this period. Observing my kids return to school in 2021, I can attest that their spirits have lifted significantly.
The overarching conclusion of the study was straightforward: “There is no substantial evidence that lockdowns, school closures, border restrictions, or gathering limitations affected COVID-19 mortality.”
Surprisingly, the study revealed that prohibiting gatherings in relatively safe outdoor locations, such as parks and beaches, led some individuals to congregate in riskier indoor environments, ultimately increasing infection rates. Moreover, outdoor mask mandates seemed to provoke a sense of rebellion against what many viewed as unreasonable restrictions, further complicating the public’s response to the pandemic. The findings indicated that “limiting gatherings was counterproductive and may have raised COVID-19 mortality.”
The one exception noted was in bars, where lockdown measures reportedly reduced mortality rates by 10.6%. However, closing such venues where people often find solace and companionship might have inadvertently contributed to escalating societal issues. Additionally, solitary drinking can lead to increased alcohol consumption and worsen mental health.
In essence, lockdowns can be seen as an unintended form of psychological warfare against the very populations they aimed to protect, especially considering the established health benefits of social interactions.
Economic and Social Ramifications
Our economy and interpersonal relationships suffered as we debated the best strategies for maintaining safety without compromising our sanity. The study bluntly stated: “Lockdowns should be dismissed as a viable policy for managing pandemics.”
Will the CDC acknowledge the importance of community and courage over fear in their future reports? That remains uncertain and may depend on public discourse.
Interestingly, public sentiment appears to be evolving. A recent survey indicates that 70% of Americans believe it’s time to accept Covid as a permanent part of life and move forward.
While challenges such as cancer, heart disease, and ongoing Covid cases remain, the strength of community and unity can significantly enhance our resilience against these threats.
The first video titled "Did Lockdowns Work? The definitive answer is out now in Science Advances" discusses the findings of recent studies regarding lockdown effectiveness and their real impacts on society.
The second video titled "New COVID study finds pandemic mandates did, in fact, save lives" explores new research indicating the true effectiveness of pandemic measures and their implications.