KERA's Think
The mistakes of Covid school shutdown
May 7, 2025
Journalist David Zweig, author of "An Abundance of Caution," discusses the lengthy school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic and their unforeseen impacts. He reveals the misconceptions about COVID-19 risks for children, comparing actual data to public perception. Zweig critiques pandemic responses, highlighting lessons from Italy and the effectiveness of different strategies. He emphasizes the need for evidence-based decision-making and explores how remote learning exacerbated educational inequalities, particularly for disadvantaged students.
45:54
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Quick takeaways
- Public perception exaggerated COVID risks to youth, highlighting the need for accurate communication from health authorities to combat misinformation.
- School closures led to significant educational setbacks and mental health issues for children, underscoring the importance of evaluating lockdown effectiveness in future crises.
Deep dives
Misconceptions About COVID Risks to Youth
Public perception during the pandemic greatly exaggerated the risks COVID posed to young people, with some misestimating their mortality rates by a staggering 40-fold compared to reality. This misinformation was fueled by a combination of human nature and poor communication from public health authorities and media, leading to a misinformed public. Unlike adults, who faced significantly higher risks from the virus, the actual threat to children from COVID was less severe and comparable to dangers they face in everyday life, such as the flu. Understanding this misalignment between perception and reality is crucial for future public health communication.
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