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.
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Overestimated COVID Risk to Kids
- People wildly overestimated COVID deaths among young people by about 40 times.
- Public health authorities and media misinformed the public about risks to children.
Low Risk of COVID to Children
- COVID posed much lower risk to children compared to adults, similar to or less than other everyday risks.
- Early data from China showed children were at extraordinarily low risk from COVID.
US Response Influenced by Fear
- US health leaders were 'spooked' by Italy and China's extreme measures, diverging from pre-existing pandemic plans.
- Lockdowns used as a model from authoritarian China were not suitable for democratic societies like the US.