Lockdowns in the U.S. and Europe had little or no impact in reducing deaths from COVID-19, according to a new analysis by researchers at Johns Hopkins University. The researchers stated: “We find no evidence that lockdowns, school closures, border closures, and limiting gatherings have had a noticeable effect on COVID-19 mortality”. But instead, the report mentions that lockdowns did have devastating effects on the economy and contributed to numerous social disasters: “They have contributed to reducing economic activity, raising unemployment, reducing schooling, causing political unrest, contributing to domestic violence, and undermining liberal democracy… Such a standard benefit-cost calculation leads to a strong conclusion: lockdowns should be rejected out of hand as a pandemic policy instrument”.
Early on, in the pandemic craziness, 186 countries imposed bans on work, socialization, in-person schooling, travel and other restrictions to limit the spread of the disease, citing recommendations by top health care experts. Researchers at the Imperial College London even predicted that such steps could reduce death rates by up to 98%. But they were totally wrong. According to the new study of the Johns Hopkins Institute by researchers Steve Hanke, Jonas Herby, and Lars Jonung they conclude that lockdowns are not an effective way of reducing mortality rates during a pandemic”. They conducted a “meta-analysis” of dozens of studies that examined COVID-19 mortality rates.
The researchers said the timing of lockdowns, and unintended consequences, may play a larger role than expected in affecting mortality: “Lockdowns have limited peoples’ access to safe (outdoor) places such as beaches, parks, and zoos, or included outdoor mask mandates or strict outdoor gathering restrictions, pushing people to meet at less safe (indoor) places… Indeed, we do find some evidence that limiting gatherings was counterproductive and increased COVID-19 mortality.”
Unfortunately, we will have to live with the consequences for years. Locking people up for months will have a long term negative effect on people’s health. But who will be held accountable for this lockdown action that has cost lives?
Sven Franssen