The Costs of the COVID Shutdowns Are Coming In 

It’s becoming increasingly clear that the COVID shutdowns were a bad idea. They did not curb the spread of the virus. If anything, they accelerated it. And there were negative consequences. Substantial ones. Like the decimation of the economy, including the end of many retail businesses, an increase in depression and suicide, and the retardation in learning for America’s students. Especially grammar school students for whom the mortality risk for COVID was close to zero.

Earlier this week, for example, the National Assessment of Educational Progress released a report showing the largest decline in math skills ever recorded and a decline in reading levels that is the lowest in 30 years. Math scores for eighth graders fell in nearly every state, with the average score dropping eight points since 2019. And the average for fourth graders fell by five points. See the data breakdown for math here and reading here.