Flawed study used to claim COVID-19 lockdowns are ineffective

Criticism of COVID-19 safety measures, including masking, social distancing, and lockdowns, has been widespread. When community transmission is high, COVID-19 precautions are central to limiting the spread of the virus. Thoroughly examining all public health measures employed during this pandemic, from a multitude of perspectives inside and outside public health, is necessary in order to better respond and prepare for infectious disease outbreaks, epidemics, and pandemics. At present, there is general agreement among relevant experts that the lack of a uniform response in the U.S. is mostly responsible for the country’s extraordinarily high death rate compared to other wealthy nations. Pandemic response in the U.S. has largely been placed on states and cities, with immunization strategies, contact tracing, quarantines and lockdowns, masking, and other measures varying widely state-by-state. Emphasizing that these measures are important public health tools, and that they help to protect the most vulnerable members of the community, including those who are immunocompromised or unvaccinated, is recommended.

Fact Checking Source(s): 

• PolitiFact
• Miami Herald