In a scathing report published by the non-profit Committee to Unleash Prosperity (CTUP), the government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic has been sharply criticized. The report, titled "COVID Lessons Learned: A Retrospective After Four Years," highlights what it describes as "catastrophic errors" in the form of lockdowns, school closures, and vaccine mandates. It argues that these measures have eroded public trust in public health institutions and had little positive impact on controlling the virus.

Authored by a group of experts that includes Scott Atlas, M.D., a senior fellow in health policy at the Hoover Institution, and Steve Hanke, Ph.D., a professor of applied economics at Johns Hopkins University, the report draws on various studies and research papers to support its findings. It offers ten key lessons that must be learned to prevent a repetition of the same mistakes.

One of the main criticisms outlined in the report is the granting of unprecedented powers to public health agencies, which it argues resulted in the imposition of strict limits on civil liberties. The report advocates for limiting the powers of health agencies to advisory roles, without the ability to set laws or mandates. The authors also recommend term limits for senior health agency positions and halting all binding agreements or pledges to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The report asserts that the public health establishment fueled fear instead of promoting a calm and proportionate response. It argues that lockdowns, while claiming to reduce deaths and viral circulation, had little discernible impact and instead caused harm by canceling medical procedures and negatively impacting people's health. The authors suggest that a strategy of truthfulness, facts, and education would have been more effective in allowing individuals to make their own decisions about their businesses, social interactions, and children's education.

School closures are depicted as having inflicted significant damage on children, with reports of poor learning, school dropouts, mental illness, and cases of child abuse going unreported. The report also criticizes the ongoing emphasis on mask wearing, alleging that masks provided little or no value and may have even caused harm by amplifying irrational fears and creating conflicts among citizens.

Economically, the report highlights that the lockdowns resulted in over 49 million Americans losing their jobs, as per Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) survey data. It argues that extended unemployment benefits passed by Congress prolonged unemployment and contributed to economic underperformance.

The report does praise Project Warp Speed for expediting the development and distribution of vaccines and monoclonal antibody treatments. However, it notes a failure to assess their safety and condemns the mandates and associated pressure campaigns, claiming that they undermine informed consent.

The media, Big Tech companies, and the academic science and public health community also face criticism in the report for allegedly stifling debate and promoting a single narrative. The authors argue that checks and balances, along with well-functioning institutions, are vital during crises, and decision-making should not be outsourced to alleged experts without proper oversight.

In light of the report's findings, it recommends that Congress and states define "public health emergency" by law, ensuring strict limitations on executive powers and requiring legislative extension. The report aims to spur a policy overhaul to prevent the repetition of similar mistakes in future crises.

As the nation continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, this critical assessment offers valuable insights and raises important questions about the approach taken by governments and public health institutions. It remains to be seen how policymakers will respond to the report's recommendations and work towards building a more effective and balanced response to future crises.