Commentary: Four Life-Threatening Unintended Consequences of the Lockdowns

by Brad Polumbo

When policymakers across the country decided to “lock down” in response to the March outbreak of the novel coronavirus, they took a leap into the unknown. Not only did we know little about COVID-19 itself at that time, but we knew almost nothing about how shutting down nearly all of society would affect people.

Policymakers focused on their models predicting how lockdowns could help limit the spread of COVID-19; an important factor, to be sure. So, too, many acknowledged the negative economic ramifications of lockdowns. But in the months since, we’ve seen many other dire consequences stem from the unprecedented shutdown of society.

Future public health policy should take these four life-threatening unintended consequences of COVID-19 lockdowns into account.

 1) Massive Spikes in Suicide Rates and Mental Health Crises.........
 2) Uptick in Drug Overdoses and Substance Abuse............
 3) Economic Devastation Leads to Hunger.........
 4) Surge in Domestic Violence Under COVID-19 Lockdowns...........

 These dire unintended consequences of COVID-19 lockdowns are tragic, but frankly, they aren’t so shocking. We have long known that sweeping government interventions have ripple effects that extend far beyond their intended goals.

Why? Because of what economic philosopher Friedrich Hayek called the “knowledge problem.”........ Simply, the knowledge problem means that central planning efforts are doomed to fail. Only those closest to a problem know the ins and outs of it..............The deadly unintended consequences of sweeping COVID-19 lockdowns remind us why.............To Read More.....