In our meta-study from 2022, “A Literature Review and Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Lockdowns on COVID-19 Mortality – II,” we find that the effect of lockdowns—also referred to as ‘Covid restrictions,’ ‘social distancing measures,’ etc.—on mortality was negligible. The first version of our meta-study received criticism from Banholzer, et al. (2022). The authors raised “concerns regarding the subject and conduct” of our meta-analysis. In this reply we respond to these objections. We demonstrate that the criticism brought forward by Banholzer et al. (2022) lacks a solid foundation, focuses at best on ancillary issues, and generally misses the entire point of our research. In short, Banholzer, et al.’s comments are immaterial and irrelevant.
