Photo courtesy of Gage Skidmore / Flickr
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. meets with supporters at a campaign rally at Legends Event Center in Phoenix, Arizona, on Dec. 20, 2023.
The confirmation hearing for RFK has underscored the fact that many of the alleged “conspiracy theories” regarding the handling of COVID have been proven true. The lockdowns, masks, and vaccine mandates had little or no scientific basis and did not save lives. This has also been confirmed by a congressional investigation. Sadly, the nation is still suffering from Biden’s pandemic policies.
Trump initially opposed lockdowns but was eventually pressured into agreeing to a two-week shutdown. However, Fauci, Democrat lawmakers, and the mainstream media colluded to extend and reinforce these measures, stretching what was meant to be a temporary restriction into more than two years of prolonged lockdowns.
By the time Joe Biden took office in January 2021, these restrictions remained in place across much of the country. Rather than pushing for an aggressive reopening, the Biden administration supported prolonged COVID measures, including mask and vaccine mandates. Some of the longest lockdowns lasted into mid-to-late 2022, particularly in states like California, New York, and Illinois. The Biden administration encouraged states to maintain strict COVID policies, worsening the economic and societal fallout.
Federal agencies, including the CDC and OSHA, attempted to enforce vaccine mandates for workplaces and federal employees, while public health officials continued to push masking and social distancing well into 2022. The Department of Education and the Teachers’ Union opposed the reopening of schools, while at the state and local levels, vaccine mandates were imposed on teachers, employees, and even students. In some extreme cases, universities required vaccination even for students attending classes virtually. These policies led to prolonged school closures, severely disrupting education and development.
The shift to remote learning led to significant learning losses, with students falling behind in key areas such as reading and mathematics. A report by the Center on Reinventing Public Education indicates that, even four years after the initial disruptions, American students have not fully recovered academically, with only 56% of fourth-graders performing at grade level in math, down from 69% in 2019.
Beyond academics, the pandemic exacerbated mental health challenges among students. Increased isolation and the stress associated with remote learning contributed to higher rates of anxiety and depression. Research published in the National Library of Medicine found that children receiving virtual or hybrid instruction reported higher rates of these mental health issues compared to their peers attending in-person classes. The prolonged absence from traditional classroom settings also led to disengagement and chronic absenteeism.
Parents have expressed growing concerns about their children’s academic progress and overall well-being. A recent survey revealed that 64% of parents worry their children are not reaching their full potential, with 42% feeling more stressed about their child’s academic success than ever before. Many parents have observed learning loss, social and emotional challenges, and behavioral changes in their children since the pandemic began.
The COVID-19 lockdowns precipitated a significant economic downturn, the effects of which continue to reverberate today. The U.S. experienced a 5.4% reduction in gross domestic product (GDP) and a 2% decrease in employment during the subsequent quarter. Industries such as air travel, dining, and health services were particularly hard-hit, contracting by 57.5%, 26.5%, and 29.16% respectively in the first 30 months of the pandemic.
Small businesses faced unprecedented challenges, with many unable to sustain operations due to decreased consumer spending and mandatory closures. This led to widespread layoffs and, in some cases, permanent closures. The International Labour Organization estimated a 6.7% loss of working hours globally in the second quarter of 2020, equivalent to 195 million full-time jobs. The economic strain was not evenly distributed; women, youth, the self-employed, and casual workers with lower levels of formal education bore the brunt of income and employment losses. Women, in particular, were disproportionately affected due to their higher representation in sectors more susceptible to lockdown measures.
As of January 2025, the path to full economic recovery remains arduous. While certain sectors have rebounded, others continue to struggle with the lingering effects of the lockdowns. The cumulative economic impact of the pandemic on the U.S. had already reached $14 trillion by the end of 2023, underscoring the enduring challenges faced by businesses and workers alike. In summary, the lockdowns—now proven ineffective in curbing the spread of COVID-19—inflicted severe and lasting economic harm, leaving businesses and workers to bear the consequences of misguided policies.
With Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at the helm of the health department, the days of draconian lockdowns, forced masking, and vaccine mandates would be over. His commitment to individual rights, medical freedom, and transparency in public health policy offers a stark contrast to the bureaucratic failures of the past. Kennedy’s leadership would ensure that future health policies are grounded in science, not fear-mongering; in personal choice, not coercion. His approach would restore public trust in health institutions by prioritizing informed consent over government mandates.
The post RFK is Right: The Country is Still Suffering from Biden’s Pandemic Response appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.