Authors Response to Letters to the editor regarding: ‘Assessing mandatory stay‐ At‐ Home and business closure effects on the spread of COVID‐ 19’

Bendavid, Eran; Oh, Christopher C; Bhattacharya, Jay; Ioannidis, John P. A.

doi:10.1111/eci.13553

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 14 publications

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“…In their initial manuscript, 1 the authors explained that they only included countries with subnational data available. In their response, 2 the authors note that they excluded countries with restrictive measures but few cases. This first highlights the fact that the exclusion criterion was not presented in the original manuscript.…”

Section: Sample Size and Assessment Criteriamentioning

confidence: 99%

Challenges in determining causality: An ongoing critique of Bendavid et al’s ‘Assessing mandatory stay‐at‐home and business closure effects on the spread of COVID‐19’

Besançon

Meyerowitz-Katz

Chini

et al. 2021

Eur J Clin Investigation

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We are happy to respond to Bendavid et al. on the matter of their paper [1] (the authors, henceforth). Given the subject matter impacts on lives across the globe, we are pleased to have the opportunity to continue this worthwhile discussion. While the authors have written a response [2] to our initial concerns [3,4,5], we feel that it falls short in a number of key ways, and thus the paper still does not propose a useful assessment of the efficacy of Non‐Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs) against COVID‐19.

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Section: Sample Size and Assessment Criteriamentioning

confidence: 99%

Challenges in determining causality: An ongoing critique of Bendavid et al’s ‘Assessing mandatory stay‐at‐home and business closure effects on the spread of COVID‐19’

Besançon

Meyerowitz-Katz

Chini

et al. 2021

Eur J Clin Investigation

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Is Physical Activity Associated with Less Depression and Anxiety During the COVID-19 Pandemic? A Rapid Systematic Review

et al. 2021

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Background The Covid-19 pandemic is affecting the entire world population. During the first spread, most governments have implemented quarantine and strict social distancing procedures. Similar measures during recent pandemics resulted in an increase in post-traumatic stress, anxiety and depression symptoms. The development of novel interventions to mitigate the mental health burden are of utmost importance. Objective In this rapid review, we aimed to provide a systematic overview of the literature with regard to associations between physical activity (PA) and depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data Source We searched major databases (PubMed, EMBASE, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science) and preprint servers (MedRxiv, SportRxiv, ResearchGate, and Google Scholar), for relevant papers up to 25/07/2020. Study Eligibility Criteria We included observational studies with cross-sectional and longitudinal designs. To qualify for inclusion in the review, studies must have tested the association of PA with depression or anxiety, using linear or logistic regressions. Depression and anxiety must have been assessed using validated rating scales. Study Appraisal and Synthesis Methods Effect sizes were represented by fully adjusted standardized betas and odds ratios (OR) alongside 95% confidence intervals (CI). In case standardized effects could not be obtained, unstandardized effects were presented and indicated. Results We identified a total of 21 observational studies (4 longitudinal, 1 cross-sectional with retrospective analysis, and 16 cross-sectional), including information of 42,293 (age 6–70 years, median female = 68%) participants from five continents. The early evidence suggests that people who performed PA on a regular basis with higher volume and frequency and kept the PA routines stable, showed less symptoms of depression and anxiety. For instance, those reporting a higher total time spent in moderate to vigorous PA had 12–32% lower chances of presenting depressive symptoms and 15–34% of presenting anxiety. Conclusion Performing PA during Covid-19 is associated with less depression and anxiety. To maintain PA routines during Covid-19, specific volitional and motivational skills might be paramount to overcome Covid-19 specific barriers. Particularly, web-based technologies could be an accessible way to increase motivation and volition for PA and maintain daily PA routines.

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Covid-19 Lockdown Cost/Benefits: A Critical Assessment of the Literature

Allen

2021

International Journal of the Economics of Business

128

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An examination of over 100 Covid-19 studies reveals that many relied on false assumptions that over-estimated the benefits and under-estimated the costs of lockdown. The most recent research has shown that lockdowns have had, at best, a marginal effect on the number of Covid-19 deaths. Generally speaking, the ineffectiveness stemmed from individual changes in behavior: either noncompliance or behavior that mimicked lockdowns. The limited effectiveness of lockdowns explains why, after more than one year, the unconditional cumulative Covid-19 deaths per million is not negatively correlated with the stringency of lockdown across countries. Using a method proposed by Professor Bryan Caplan along with estimates of lockdown benefits based on the econometric evidence, I calculate a number of cost/benefit ratios of lockdowns in terms of life-years saved. Using a mid-point estimate for costs and benefits, the reasonable estimate for Canada is a cost/benefit ratio of 141. It is possible that lockdown will go down as one of the greatest peacetime policy failures in modern history.

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Authors Response to Letters to the editor regarding: ‘Assessing mandatory stay‐ At‐ Home and business closure effects on the spread of COVID‐ 19’

Abstract: We are pleased to see the active discussion around our study on the relationship between mandatory stay-at-home and business closures and COVID-19 spread. 1 In this response, we address issues raised in three letters. [2][3][4]

Cited by 4 publications

References 14 publications

Challenges in determining causality: An ongoing critique of Bendavid et al’s ‘Assessing mandatory stay‐at‐home and business closure effects on the spread of COVID‐19’

Challenges in determining causality: An ongoing critique of Bendavid et al’s ‘Assessing mandatory stay‐at‐home and business closure effects on the spread of COVID‐19’

Is Physical Activity Associated with Less Depression and Anxiety During the COVID-19 Pandemic? A Rapid Systematic Review

Covid-19 Lockdown Cost/Benefits: A Critical Assessment of the Literature

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