Was the cure worse than the disease?
President Trump famously indicated that when it comes to COVID-19 responses, ‘the cure could be worse than the disease’, for which he received some criticism. Source.
There is increasing evidence that the ‘COVID cure’, namely lockdowns and vaccines, may not have been as ‘safe and effective’ as advertised, with damage done to the physical, mental, and financial health of so many, so much so that we here at OTN do not have the resources to report on it all (yet). Nevertheless, a recent study and comments in the mainstream New York Times seem to us to be essential reading. From the New York Times: “Lockdowns Protected Older People. But at What Cost to the Health of Young Adults? … Covid-19 has killed mostly old people. But since the pandemic began, the rate of death from all causes for younger adults has risen by a bigger percentage than has the rate of death from all causes for old people.” Source.
And from a recent study by the National Bureau of Economic Research: “From April 2020 through at least the end of 2021, Americans died from non-Covid causes at an average annual rate 97,000 in excess of previous trends. Hypertension and heart disease deaths combined were elevated 32,000. Diabetes or obesity, drug-induced causes, and alcohol-induced causes were each elevated 12,000 to 15,000 above previous (upward) trends. Drug deaths especially followed an alarming trend, only to significantly exceed it during the pandemic to reach 108,000 for calendar year 2021. Homicide and motor-vehicle fatalities combined were elevated almost 10,000. Various other causes combined to add 18,000. While Covid deaths overwhelmingly afflict senior citizens, absolute numbers of non-Covid excess deaths are similar for each of the 18-44, 45-64, and over-65 age groups, with essentially no aggregate excess deaths of children. Mortality from all causes during the pandemic was elevated 26 percent for working- age adults (18-64), as compared to 18 percent for the elderly. Other data on drug addictions, non- fatal shootings, weight gain, and cancer screenings point to a historic, yet largely unacknowledged, health emergency.” Source.
Okay then.
Note: A little extra. If COVID-19 mainly affects the elderly (especially those already ill), and the lockdowns and vaccines have little benefit, and the adverse effects of the lockdowns and vaccines apply to all age groups, can we be certain that the benefits of these measures outweigh the risks? And will the notion that the benefits outweigh the risks continue to be questioned as time goes on, as further evidence reveals that the true cost of ‘the cure’ is far greater than initially hoped?