Maximum Truth: The COVID Fudge Factor

Big if true.

Conclusions:
— Vaccines worked to prevent death. Really well, and as advertised. They held western death rates down despite elderly and obese populations.
— Lockdowns and restrictions were very effective only when combined with near-total travel bans, and when kept in place until full vaccination.
— It’s not clear that even the most effective anti-Covid restrictions pass a cost-benefit test, when it comes to freedom versus safety (10-15 days added to every life.) Everyone has their own preferences, and we should settle such differences democratically, without censoring and demonizing people.