According to the paper published in January 2022 titled “A Literature Review and Meta-analysis of the Effects of Lockdowns on COVID-19 Mortality” by J. Herby et al of John Hopkins University, lockdowns are practically useless in terms of mortality reduction—well, in case you didn’t already know.
The paper isn’t short at a total of 63 pages with the main body of 44 pages. The screening process started with 18,590 studies, ultimately ending with a selection of 34 studies.
Every literature review has its limitations simply because the studies reviewed use different definitions and, in this subject, the timing of lockdowns is another variable that is difficult to assess. It also does not explain why lockdowns are mostly ineffective, only discusses possibilities.
In short:
Overall, our meta-analysis fails to confirm that lockdowns have had a large, significant effect on mortality rates. Studies examining the relationship between lockdown strictness (based on the OxCGRT stringency index) find that the average lockdown in Europe and the United States only reduced COVID-19 mortality by 0.2% compared to a COVID-19 policy based solely on recommendations. Shelter-in-place orders (SIPOs) were also ineffective. They only reduced COVID-19 mortality by 2.9%.
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