What were you doing on 23rd March 2020?  

It is hard to believe it is really three whole years since many of us were listening to the Prime Minister, adopting his most Churchillian tones, and telling the entire nation that we must stay in our homes, for all but food shopping, one item of exercise and essential travel to work: the announcement made only four days after SARS-CoV-2 had been downgraded as a High Consequence Infectious Disease. 

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Lockdowns: the evidence revisited

In March 2021, we wrote two sections in ‘Covid-19 the evidence’, namely ‘Economic impacts – the true cost of lockdown’ and ‘Lockdowns – do they work?’.  Over a year later, we have revisited not only the financial costs of lockdowns but also the societal costs, the impact on healthcare and the lack of evidence for overall benefit. 

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Lockdowns – do they work?

By Professor Marilyn James Professor of Health Economics When an intervention has never been tried before, it is particularly important to carefully assess the potential harm it may inflict. Lockdowns have never previously been used in response to a pandemic. They have significant and serious consequences for health (including mental health), livelihoods and the economy. […]

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