In response to the measures taken to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Kevin Bardosh, a medical anthropologist and director of the London think tank “Collateral Global,” believes that the harms outweigh the benefits. Through extensive analysis of academic research on various issues, he concludes that the excess mortality rate has affected healthcare services, mental health has impacted the economy, poverty and food insecurity have arisen, and education has been disrupted.
Over the past four years, what have we learned from our collective responses to the COVID-19 crisis? And how would our societies react if faced with another pandemic in the future?
Dr. Bardosh points out the tension between authoritarian positions and more classical liberal and civil society ideas in the public health field, emphasizing the need for change within the pandemic industry, as some believe they are doing well while criticizing them is viewed as spreading misinformation.
He discusses the global impact of the COVID-19 lockdowns, highlighting the rise in obesity rates and poverty rates. He notes how the closure of schools has caused a significant setback in the educational achievements made globally since 2000.
Reflecting on the lessons learned from our collective response to the COVID-19 crisis, Dr. Bardosh mentions the domino effect of policies and the unprecedented nature of the global crisis we have all experienced firsthand. He points out the spread of fear and the effects of lockdown policies across more than 150 countries.
Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, there was some knowledge on how to address influenza pandemics. Dr. Bardosh questions the effectiveness of measures such as school closures, lockdowns, testing and tracing, and border closures, as recommended by the World Health Organization’s flu pandemic preparedness plan in 2019.
He stresses the need for a more nuanced approach in public health crisis times, avoiding overreactions that can lead to severe consequences. Dr. Bardosh emphasizes the importance of finding a balance between public health measures and their economic and social impacts.
The article highlights the impact of lockdown policies on various aspects of society, citing statistics from international organizations and research findings. Dr. Bardosh emphasizes the need for innovative strategies to address the surges in respiratory viruses and other diseases in the future, advocating for precision protection and alternative approaches.
In conclusion, Dr. Bardosh challenges policymakers and the scientific community to rethink the current pandemic response strategies and questions the effectiveness of the “Hundred Days Action Plan” proposed for future pandemics, urging for a critical assessment of whether these approaches align with the realities observed during the COVID-19 pandemic.