The Comedy Cellar: Live from the Table In COVID’s Wake: Prof. Stephen Macedo Debates COVID Lockdowns, Liberty, and the Data.
Jun 14, 2025
Stephen Macedo, Lawrence S. Rockefeller Professor at Princeton, dives into the controversial impacts of COVID-19 lockdowns based on his book 'In COVID's Wake.' He debates the effectiveness of various public health strategies, including the contrasting approaches of Great Barrington and Sweden. Macedo challenges assumptions about lockdowns' efficacy and their societal consequences, including educational disparities and mental health effects on children. With a mix of serious commentary and humor, he reflects on broader implications for civic values and ethical accountability in public health.
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Early COVID School Closure Insight
- Early school closures were justifiable out of caution during the initial uncertainty of COVID-19.
- By late April 2020, evidence showed children had low morbidity and schools could safely reopen.
Flaws in Great Barrington Declaration
- Jay Bhattacharya underestimated COVID deaths and vaccine availability.
- His Great Barrington Declaration relied on inaccurate data that invalidated its core premises.
Sweden's COVID Mortality Puzzle
- Sweden's initial front-loading of COVID deaths led to worse early mortality.
- However, over three years, excess deaths in Sweden and neighboring countries converged, complicating lockdown effectiveness assessments.
