AAP's Pediatrics Journal Confirms What Twitter Rando's Knew 3 Years Ago

622%! Increase in Eating Disorders

We Sent More Kids to the Hospital for Mental Health Than Prevented from Covid

Australia imposed one of the harshest lockdowns in the world. While not as stringent as China's, it was certainly among the longest and most severe measures for a Westernized democratic nation. In 2020, 2021, and 2022, I observed this unfolding in real-time on Twitter. What always baffled me was the distinct level of public support that the restrictions garnered in Australia. While in the US, and to some extent, the UK, there was broad debate about what measures were excessively severe and what proved effective. The unique nature of the United States—a federation of states governing their own affairs in the majority of practical policies—presented opportunities for natural policy experiments.

A new study in the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Pediatrics, analyzes just how much increased harm was caused to children in Australia thanks to their pandemic restrictions.

A year before the publication of this study, I conducted an analysis of hospital records from the State of Rhode Island, utilizing data provided by my friend, Dr. Andrew Bostom. We discovered that we sent four times more children to the hospital for self-harm than for Covid.

Below are the key findings of the study.