06-14-2021, 02:47 PM
You’d have thought those who are concerned about the impact of lockdowns would concentrate on the reports that deaths from heart attacks and diabetes have increased in the wake of Covid. Among the possible causes are failing to seek or continue medical treatment for such serious conditions, lack of exercise while staying home, adopting unhealthy habits, change of lifestyle including loss of work, and stress. These aren’t exclusive to lockdowns of course as they also apply to those who have tried to minimise their risk of exposure when that wasn’t mandated and to those who have been anxious about Covid generally. It’ll be interesting to see where the studies take us.
The data from overseas is perhaps less relevant than Australian data. In particular, the US is probably a poor comparison. The health system over there is heavily reliant on health insurance. The uninsured often defer seeking medical treatment for fear of being bankrupted after doing so (and the uninsured have a lower life expectancy as a result). Unfortunately, many Americans have relied upon insurance coverage provided by their employers. Presumably, a lot of Americans lost their health insurance along with their jobs when the pandemic hit.
The data from overseas is perhaps less relevant than Australian data. In particular, the US is probably a poor comparison. The health system over there is heavily reliant on health insurance. The uninsured often defer seeking medical treatment for fear of being bankrupted after doing so (and the uninsured have a lower life expectancy as a result). Unfortunately, many Americans have relied upon insurance coverage provided by their employers. Presumably, a lot of Americans lost their health insurance along with their jobs when the pandemic hit.