Comment on "A literature review and meta-analysis of the effects of lockdowns on COVID-19 mortality"
Open access
Date
2022-03Type
- Working Paper
ETH Bibliography
yes
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Abstract
In a recent working paper, Herby et al. conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of lockdowns on COVID-19 mortality. Based on their results, they conclude that "lockdowns have had little to no public health effects'' and that "lockdowns should be rejected out of hand as a pandemic policy instrument'' (p. 2). These strong conclusions have quickly been taken up by the public media. Here, we would like to comment on the paper by Herby et al., thereby raising concerns regarding the subject and conduct of their meta-analysis. Based on these concerns, we argue that their meta-analysis lacks methodological rigor and should thus not be considered as policy advice. In addition, we point towards more general issues regarding the conduct of meta-analyses on the effects of non-pharmaceutical interventions. Show more
Permanent link
https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000537522Publication status
publishedPublisher
ETH ZurichSubject
lockdown; non-pharmaceutical interventions; COVID-19Organisational unit
09490 - Stadler, Tanja / Stadler, Tanja
09623 - Feuerriegel, Stefan (ehemalig) / Feuerriegel, Stefan (former)
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ETH Bibliography
yes
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