It’s unfortunate that the statement issued by AIER was titled the “Great Barrington Declaration.” A more descriptive name, albeit a mouthful, would have been “International Statement by Physicians, Epidemiologists, Public Health Officials and Others regarding Ending the Covid-19 Lockdown.” It’s unfortunate, since the name diverted attention from consideration of the reasonable questions and issues posed by the declaration’s authors and co-signers — a group of highly credentialed physicians and scientists associated with some of the most prestigious colleges and universities around the world. Yes, the public at large was invited to subsequently sign onto the declaration—and some bent on ridiculing and undermining the declaration did so with fake and foolish names—but the original authors and co-signers are professionals with real names and legitimate careers relevant to the issues raised.
The declaration asks: At what point does the social and economic devastation caused by the lockdown threaten more harm to health and well-being than the harm it is meant to prevent? Consider the following: (i) suicides are up; (ii) domestic violence is up; (iii) depression and anxiety disorders are up: (iv) large numbers of people are being thrown into poverty (the Times Union in Albany recently reported that 325,000 children in NY have been newly thrust into poverty or near poverty due to the lockdown); (v) food insecurity and hunger are up; (vi) homelessness and shelter insecurity are up; (vii) substance abuse is up; (viii) dementia sufferers face worsening anxiety, agitation and confusion; (ix) the ill effects of social isolation and family distancing are negatively affecting people of all ages, including children and teens; and (xi) non-Covid-19 health conditions that require maintenance are being neglected as well as acute health issues that require medical attention—to name some of the consequences, which will only worsen over time. Many of these issues are impacting minority communities with greater severity. Simultaneously, the fortunes of the billionaire class are up dramatically, as well as the profits of the pharma and tech industries and of big-box stores like Walmart, increasing monopolization and market control while mid-sized, smaller and mom-and-pop businesses are struggling to stay afloat if their doors have not already closed. Do these powerful entities have an incentive to end the lockdown anytime soon?
So while the declaration may have been more aptly named, maybe it’s time for all of us to let go of our outrage at people with different points of view (anyone familiar with the scientific method and medical research knows that there is no one single correct viewpoint on such amorphous phenomena as epidemics—despite the phrase I’m hearing often these days that “the Science says…” as if there’s one Science that definitively knows all). Perhaps it’s time as ordinary citizens to ask ourselves: If we let go of the fear and politicizing and demonizing associated with this current situation—which has so tragically divided us and diminished open-minded conversation—what course of action will support the greatest well-being for the greatest number? Could it be possible that a continued lockdown may not be the more humane and caring choice?
