Lockdowns likely leading to an increase in suicides among the young
According to new research, the lockdowns that have shuttered all school sports are likely leading to an increase in youth suicides, even as the death rate for young people from COVID-19 is virtually nil.
The article at the link refers to a Washington Post article, which stated:
A survey of high school athletes conducted by the University of Wisconsin this summer found that approximately 68 percent of the 3,243 teens polled have reported feelings of anxiety and depression at levels that typically require medical intervention — nearly 40 percent higher than past studies. The study, which also found that physical activity levels were 50 percent lower for kids than before the pandemic, was labeled “striking and concerning” by one researcher.
The lead researcher of the study at Wisconsin, Tim McGuine, said in an interview in August that “the greatest risk [to student-athletes] is not covid-19. It’s suicide and drug use.”
From the earliest available data in March it was clear that there was no medical reason to shut down the schools (some countries never did and their children did not suffer for it). Since then this early data has been confirmed repeatedly.
Thus, the only reason to shut the schools and youth sports was an expression of unbridled power and panic by elected leaders not interested in data but very much interested in having control over everyone’s lives. Furthermore, that expression of power was not really interested in saving lives in the least, because if it was by this time these corrupt leaders would have rethought their policy and not only opened up the schools but would have ended many of their irrational lock down policies. Instead, they have been doubling down.
And if you don’t think these shutdowns are irrational and merely an expression of power, consider this: In Ohio the government has ruled that high school wrestlers can grapple and fight, but if they dare shake hands after the match they will be violating social distancing rules.
But it’s “SCIENCE!” they scream! I say, they are liars, both to us and to themselves.
Readers!
Please consider supporting my work here at Behind the Black. Your support allows me the freedom and ability to analyze objectively the ongoing renaissance in space, as well as the cultural changes -- for good or ill -- that are happening across America. Fourteen years ago I wrote that SLS and Orion were a bad ideas, a waste of money, would be years behind schedule, and better replaced by commercial private enterprise. Only now does it appear that Washington might finally recognize this reality.
In 2020 when the world panicked over COVID I wrote that the panic was unnecessary, that the virus was apparently simply a variation of the flu, that masks were not simply pointless but if worn incorrectly were a health threat, that the lockdowns were a disaster and did nothing to stop the spread of COVID. Only in the past year have some of our so-called experts in the health field have begun to recognize these facts.
Your help allows me to do this kind of intelligent analysis. I take no advertising or sponsors, so my reporting isn't influenced by donations by established space or drug companies. Instead, I rely entirely on donations and subscriptions from my readers, which gives me the freedom to write what I think, unencumbered by outside influences.
You can support me either by giving a one-time contribution or a regular subscription. There are four ways of doing so:
1. Zelle: This is the only internet method that charges no fees. All you have to do is use the Zelle link at your internet bank and give my name and email address (zimmerman at nasw dot org). What you donate is what I get.
2. Patreon: Go to my website there and pick one of five monthly subscription amounts, or by making a one-time donation.
3. A Paypal Donation or subscription:
4. Donate by check, payable to Robert Zimmerman and mailed to
Behind The Black
c/o Robert Zimmerman
P.O.Box 1262
Cortaro, AZ 85652
You can also support me by buying one of my books, as noted in the boxes interspersed throughout the webpage or shown in the menu above.
According to new research, the lockdowns that have shuttered all school sports are likely leading to an increase in youth suicides, even as the death rate for young people from COVID-19 is virtually nil.
The article at the link refers to a Washington Post article, which stated:
A survey of high school athletes conducted by the University of Wisconsin this summer found that approximately 68 percent of the 3,243 teens polled have reported feelings of anxiety and depression at levels that typically require medical intervention — nearly 40 percent higher than past studies. The study, which also found that physical activity levels were 50 percent lower for kids than before the pandemic, was labeled “striking and concerning” by one researcher.
The lead researcher of the study at Wisconsin, Tim McGuine, said in an interview in August that “the greatest risk [to student-athletes] is not covid-19. It’s suicide and drug use.”
From the earliest available data in March it was clear that there was no medical reason to shut down the schools (some countries never did and their children did not suffer for it). Since then this early data has been confirmed repeatedly.
Thus, the only reason to shut the schools and youth sports was an expression of unbridled power and panic by elected leaders not interested in data but very much interested in having control over everyone’s lives. Furthermore, that expression of power was not really interested in saving lives in the least, because if it was by this time these corrupt leaders would have rethought their policy and not only opened up the schools but would have ended many of their irrational lock down policies. Instead, they have been doubling down.
And if you don’t think these shutdowns are irrational and merely an expression of power, consider this: In Ohio the government has ruled that high school wrestlers can grapple and fight, but if they dare shake hands after the match they will be violating social distancing rules.
But it’s “SCIENCE!” they scream! I say, they are liars, both to us and to themselves.
Readers!
Please consider supporting my work here at Behind the Black. Your support allows me the freedom and ability to analyze objectively the ongoing renaissance in space, as well as the cultural changes -- for good or ill -- that are happening across America. Fourteen years ago I wrote that SLS and Orion were a bad ideas, a waste of money, would be years behind schedule, and better replaced by commercial private enterprise. Only now does it appear that Washington might finally recognize this reality.
In 2020 when the world panicked over COVID I wrote that the panic was unnecessary, that the virus was apparently simply a variation of the flu, that masks were not simply pointless but if worn incorrectly were a health threat, that the lockdowns were a disaster and did nothing to stop the spread of COVID. Only in the past year have some of our so-called experts in the health field have begun to recognize these facts.
Your help allows me to do this kind of intelligent analysis. I take no advertising or sponsors, so my reporting isn't influenced by donations by established space or drug companies. Instead, I rely entirely on donations and subscriptions from my readers, which gives me the freedom to write what I think, unencumbered by outside influences.
You can support me either by giving a one-time contribution or a regular subscription. There are four ways of doing so:
1. Zelle: This is the only internet method that charges no fees. All you have to do is use the Zelle link at your internet bank and give my name and email address (zimmerman at nasw dot org). What you donate is what I get.
2. Patreon: Go to my website there and pick one of five monthly subscription amounts, or by making a one-time donation.
3. A Paypal Donation or subscription:
4. Donate by check, payable to Robert Zimmerman and mailed to
Behind The Black
c/o Robert Zimmerman
P.O.Box 1262
Cortaro, AZ 85652
You can also support me by buying one of my books, as noted in the boxes interspersed throughout the webpage or shown in the menu above.
Depression (esp. girls/young women) and suicide (esp. boys/young men) among the young are on the rise since a couple years. Their socioeconomic status and outlook is worse than that of earlier generations at the same age. Their uncertainties are higher, their (potential) debts are higher, their earning potentials are lower. Asset price inflation of recent years has made it less likely to live on their own (or even buy property). It makes them more cautious to take on opportunities or create families. That they’re indoctrinated with a mix of learned helplessness and (self-)hate [depends on their race/ethnicity and sex whether they learn to hate themselves or others] doesn’t help. Then they’re pushed into fake education and useless degrees, wasting years of their lives and their future. Of course, I’m generally speaking.
Lockdown might be just another nail in the coffin for many. But there are already twenty nails in it.
—
But that’s all depressing stuff. It makes us sad. We don’t like to be sad. Here, have something to laugh about:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9055391/San-Francisco-rename-Lincoln-High-School-didnt-black-lives-mattered-him.html
But it’s “SCIENCE!” they scream! I say, they are liars, both to us and to themselves.
Seconded.
Ian: “Lockdown might be just another nail in the coffin for many. But there are already twenty nails in it.”
Kids have to be mighty tough to survive these days. Their childhoods are formed in a child-centric world. The destination of “growing up” is grim, dull, and mercurial, demanding a life of servitude to one’s own children, in the ideal model. But divorces happen …. Fathers become distant uncles because they don’t drop what they’re doing and make their kids the center of their lives when mom wants a divorce. Sorry, I am a declared sexist female. If nature is a sexist — and she is — then I’ll go with nature, that’s what has happened, sometimes the other way around but rarely. So boys grow up knowing that any permanent marriage and “normal” fatherhood may drift away like so much smoke easily, and little girls grow up with crazy expectations that make little sense. What do they have to look forward to, really? It’s very sad to see.
If I know anything about human nature and adolescents (I consider myself an expert on the latter as extended it for myself into my early 30s!), teens are suffering intensely right now, burning with misery and anxiousness not even seen in my time, the down and dirty free-love ’70s. I try to hear their music but often they only ape that of their parents, people who celebrate as an artist’s most memorable achievement, something he did when he was a mere pup of 25 or so! Oh well. I’ve had the good fortune to hear impromptu live music from 20 and 30 something kids, jam sessions and such. Their original music is often interesting, plaintive, angry in a controlled way, but philosophical spirit, and unique to their generation. I know that sounds touchy-feely, but music is a swift and sure messenger.