PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — In the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was ongoing debate about the importance of protective measures, from mask wearing and social distancing to the value of vaccines.
Researchers are now looking back to see what helped and what didn't. A major report in the Journal of the American Medical Association has found that "if all states imposed restrictions similar to those used in the 10 most restrictive states, an estimated 176,000 people would have reduced excess deaths."
The study reveals shutdowns made a clear difference, but school closures only provided minimal benefit. The goal of studies like this is not to place blame but to provide evidence to guide future emergency responses.
Get more medical reports from Dr. Brian McDonough.
KYW Newsradio's Medical Reports are sponsored by Independence Blue Cross.
