COVID-19: Rethinking the Lockdown Groupthink

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused the Disease 2019 (COVID-19) worldwide pandemic in 2020. In response, most countries world implemented lockdowns, restricting their population's movements, work, education, gatherings, and general activities attempt to “flatten curve” of COVID-19 cases. public health goal lockdowns was save population from cases deaths, prevent overwhelming care systems with patients. this narrative review I explain why changed my mind about supporting lockdowns. initial modeling predictions induced fear crowd-effects (i.e., groupthink). Over time, important information emerged relevant modeling, including lower infection fatality rate (median 0.23%), clarification high-risk groups (specifically, those 70 years age older), herd immunity thresholds (likely 20–40% immunity), difficult exit strategies. addition, on significant collateral damage due response pandemic, adversely affecting many millions people poverty, food insecurity, loneliness, unemployment, school closures, interrupted healthcare. Raw numbers deaths were interpret, may be tempered by placing number proper context perspective relative background rates. Considering information, a cost-benefit analysis finds that are far more harmful (at least 5–10 times so terms wellbeing years) than can be. Controversies objections main points made considered addressed. Progress depends considering trade-offs discussed here determine populations. close some suggestions for moving forward, focused protection truly at high risk, opening schools, building back better economy.