How has 2024 disappeared at record speed? All ideas welcome. It is also hard to believe that it is five years since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Those constantly berating doctors to “self-reflect” seem reluctant to apply the same standards to themselves. The report into Australia’s COVID response is a credit to its authors who managed to highlight what was done right and wrong, despite the limited terms of reference which excluded the actions of state governments.
It found that Australia fixated on case numbers and lost sight of the broader mental-health impacts of lockdowns and school closures. “Increased social isolation, stress, anxiety, uncertainty, loss of control, disruption to daily routines and concerns for the wellbeing of family and loved ones created the conditions for either the onset of mental-ill health or deterioration of existing conditions,” the authors said.
“School closures and remote learning also led to increased engagement with social media, triggering weight and ‘body checking’ behaviours among some young people.”
Research also suggested that lockdown-induced “lifestyle disruptions” caused changes in brain biology in children and young people, with a greater impact on females.
Second opinions are vital and questioning should never have been shut down. Doctors should offer advice to policy makers but we are too narrow in thinking to be the sole voice.
These effects could last decades. Are we listening?
Chris Uhlman writing in The Australian had some self-reflection points for consideration.
“Doctors were indispensable and underlined why you should always seek a second opinion. As a class, they should never again be the sole voice in a crisis. The real Long COVID is the tail of iatrogenic harm left by the lockdowns they championed”. Ouch.
Uhlman is right. Second opinions are vital and questioning should never have been shut down. Doctors should offer advice to policy makers but we are too narrow in thinking to be the sole voice. Leadership requires listening to multiple inputs and preparedness to take risks that doctors are not equipped for.
My sense is that on the ground, we get it. In officialdom, I am not so sure.
Thank you to readers for your support in 2024. May you all get some rest and spend time with friends and family. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and prosperous 2025.