Do lockdowns work?

You have to weigh up the economic impact though.

Unemployment could be at 20% next year and they are looking to increase taxes to 30%.

No offemce but considering it was the over 60 most at risk they are the ones that should have beem locked down not the country.

I guess ultimately it was about what would be a tolerable or intolerable amount of deaths. At the start it was purely around recognising that we don’t have infinite healthcare resources. The government took a decision that any death from covid 19 that could have been avoided with medical intervention (ventilator for example) was unpalatable. As such action was needed (forced reduction of community interaction) to ensure that would not happen.

In terms of the article you reference it’s a bit of an opinion piece rather than a study on the effectiveness of lockdown.

If I recall there was significant debate around whether we should lock down or not, and indeed when. There were calls for a few weeks before lockdown in the UK was initiated where the PM was resisting.

comment by Timothy (U14278)
posted 5 minutes ago
You have to weigh up the economic impact though.

Unemployment could be at 20% next year and they are looking to increase taxes to 30%.

No offemce but considering it was the over 60 most at risk they are the ones that should have beem locked down not the country.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
So on the unemployment rate where are you reading 20-30%? The highest suggestion I’ve heard is 15% (OECD) and that is only if there is a substantial second wave.

On the lockdown for those in their 60s, I sympathise with what you’re saying but politically that would’ve been impossible. They can’t even get rid of the triple lock on pensions and so choosing just to target a certain part of the population (and key voting demographic) in an arbitrary manner wasn’t an option.

Where are you reading about a 30% income tax rate being considered by this government?

comment by bmcl1987 (U14177)
posted 7 minutes ago
Where are you reading about a 30% income tax rate being considered by this government?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He just says 'tax', not income tax. Could be VAT? Typical Timmy scheite.

comment by Silver (U6112)
posted 8 minutes ago
comment by bmcl1987 (U14177)
posted 7 minutes ago
Where are you reading about a 30% income tax rate being considered by this government?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He just says 'tax', not income tax. Could be VAT? Typical Timmy scheite.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You’re right it does just say tax, bit bleary this morning. I thought VAT in some areas had gone down, not up?

Chancellor has said himself that the country will be paying back the cost through higher taxes.

Of course lockdowns are effective. Basically every country in Europe has proved that. The longer and stricter the lockdown (see China) the more effective. As lockdown eases then infections start increasing. However, at least now we're all aware of the virus and our social behaviour has changed.

The only argument against lockdowns is the effect it has on the economy. However, without a sufficient lockdown the virus continues to spread which stalls any economic reopening (see the US).

Lockdowns are a necessity. Hopefully in this country we're able to keep them local until an effective vaccine is widely available.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-53581933


Is it worth it when this many lose there income?

comment by Everywhere you go always take Lamela with you. (U7905)
posted 28 minutes ago
Of course lockdowns are effective. Basically every country in Europe has proved that. The longer and stricter the lockdown (see China) the more effective. As lockdown eases then infections start increasing. However, at least now we're all aware of the virus and our social behaviour has changed.

The only argument against lockdowns is the effect it has on the economy. However, without a sufficient lockdown the virus continues to spread which stalls any economic reopening (see the US).

Lockdowns are a necessity. Hopefully in this country we're able to keep them local until an effective vaccine is widely available.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You can say much the same about testing. If you tested everybody, every day, sooner or later you stamp it out even with the false positives and negatives.

Master Silver getting tested next week in case a dirty Scot has brought it into the US