Here’s What Lockdowns Really Did, New Study Reveals
Perhaps “Shelter in Place“ Wasn’t so Safe After All
“Stay home, stay safe.” Remember that? Turns out, self-imposed solitary confinement may have done more harm than good.
A new report says the lockdowns did little to stop Covid, reducing deaths by only 0.2 percent during those early days of the pandemic.
And how little we knew in early 2020, when another team of researchers in London predicted lockdowns could stop 98 percent of Covid deaths.
So, we had a 98 percent prediction verses a 0.2 percent outcome… Whoa.
And while the findings said lockdowns did little to stop Covid, they created “devastating effects” on the economy and fueled social ills.
In summary, the researchers at John Hopkins said lockdowns crashed the economy, hindered schooling, caused political unrest, increased domestic violence and even undermined liberal democracy.
That’s quite a price to pay to stop a virus that could be around for decades to come…
As a father who had kids sent home in 2020, I can confirm the lockdowns hurt the mental health of children as studies show. And later, as a father who watched his children go back to school in 2021, I can confirm they’re happier again.
The study’s conclusion was pretty clear: “We find no evidence that lockdowns, school closures, border closures, and limiting gatherings have had a noticeable effect on COVID-19 mortality.”
Ironically, the study found that when people were prevented from meeting in relatively safe places like “beaches, parks, and zoos,” some decided to meet in less safe (indoor) places, leading to more infections.
Outdoor mask mandates also seemed to cause rebellion against what some saw as unreasonable and over-the-top tactics, leading many to push back against perceived oppression. “Indeed, we do find some evidence that limiting gatherings was counterproductive and increased COVID-19 mortality.”
The one place were lockdowns did appear to reduce mortality significantly was in bars. The study found closing such “non-essential” businesses reduced COVID-19 mortality by 10.6 percent. Yet, at the same time, closing establishments where many find peace-of-mind and comradery perhaps only added to the social ills.
Even worse, people often drink more when they drink alone, bringing more damaging mental effects.
Thus, it would appear lockdowns are like unintended psychological warfare on the masses whom they seek to protect, while numerous studies show the health benefits of social interaction.
But it wasn’t just our mindsets that have suffered, our economy and even the ways we perceive each other all took a toll, as we began arguing over the best ways to stay safe, yet stay sane.
The study pulled no punches: “Lockdowns should be rejected out of hand as a pandemic policy instrument.”
Will the CDC release a report detailing the health benefits of spending time together? Or living with courage instead of fear? Probably not, that’s up to us.
And it appears public opinion is quickly shifting. A new survey shows 70 percent of Americans say it’s time to accept Covid is here to stay and get on with life.
If we go this route, there will still be challenges, like cancer and heart disease and hate … and yes, even Covid … but at least we’ll have each other.
Having each other means a lot, because when we’re united, we’re more adaptable and resilient than any novel virus.