The effects of COVID-19 could be affecting Americans' mental health more than initally acknowledged by health experts. | Unsplash
The effects of COVID-19 could be affecting Americans' mental health more than initally acknowledged by health experts. | Unsplash
Another wave of COVID-19 infections is spreading throughout the nation, prompting government mandates that are taking an increasing toll on people's mental health.
The American Institute for Economic Research has taken findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other organizations, detailing those impacts for both children and adults, Michigan Capitol Confidential reported. The report comes on the heels of a lockdown order instituted by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, which went into effect Nov. 15 and is scheduled for three weeks. The order imposes greater restrictions on public gatherings, including Thanksgiving. There will be stricter restrictions on the state's businesses as well.
“In the debate over coronavirus policy,” the American Institute for Economic Research stated, according to Michigan Capitol Confidential, “there has been far too little focus on the costs of lockdowns. It’s very common for the proponents of these interventions to write articles and large studies without even mentioning the downside."
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
| Michigan.gov
Michigan Capitol Confidential reported that 40% of adults were struggling with mental health and substance abuse. In August, the CDC found the number of adults having thoughts of suicide had increased from 4.3% from 2018 to 10.7%. Approximately a quarter of the nation's adults aged 18 to 24 had contemplated suicide. In November, the CDC released a report indicating emergency room visits related to mental health in children aged 5 to 11 was up 24%. Visits were up 31% for those aged 12 to 17.
The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) also weighed in, reporting this month 24.2 million children aged 5 to 11 had been enrolled in schools that closed due to the pandemic. Life expectancy could be impacted for those children. In addition, JAMA found breast cancer diagnoses fell 51.8%, compared to 2018, due to fears of contracting COVID-19 during a routing screening or checkup.
The Great Barrington Declaration states, “Current lockdown policies are producing devastating effects on short- and long-term public health,” Michigan Capitol Confidential reported.
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