A Literature Review and Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Lockdowns on COVID-19 Mortality - II
Authors: Jonas Herby, Lars Jonung, and Steve H. Hanke
Series: Studies in Applied Economics, No. 210
Publisher: The Johns Hopkins Institute for Applied Economics, Global Health, and the Study of Business Enterprise, Baltimore
Date: May 20, 2022
The sequel to Studies in Applied Economics No. 200, revised and expanded in response to the intense criticism the original meta-analysis attracted. Herby, Jonung, and Hanke restate their systematic search of the empirical literature, widen the set of studies considered, sharpen the inclusion criteria that restrict the analysis to work identifying lockdown effects through counterfactual difference-in-difference designs, and address the methodological objections raised against the first version. Their conclusion holds: lockdowns in the spring of 2020 had little to no effect on COVID-19 mortality while imposing enormous economic and social costs, so lockdowns are ill-founded as a pandemic policy instrument. The paper also circulated as MPRA Paper No. 113732 and was subsequently published in book form by the Institute of Economic Affairs.
Full Citation:
Herby, Jonas, Lars Jonung, and Steve H. Hanke. "A Literature Review and Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Lockdowns on COVID-19 Mortality - II." Studies in Applied Economics, No. 210. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins Institute for Applied Economics, Global Health, and the Study of Business Enterprise, May 2022. Published May 20, 2022. Also issued as MPRA Paper No. 113732.
Co-authors: Jonas Herby and Lars Jonung
Note: A revised and extended version was published by the Institute of Economic Affairs as Did lockdowns work? The verdict on Covid restrictions (2023), catalogued separately in this list.