Yes there are side effects (and we should do something to ameliorate these side effects) -- but it's done with a broader purpose in mind: to avoid a humanitaria

Yes there are side effects (and we should do something to ameliorate these side effects) -- but it's done with a broader purpose in mind: to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe -- which, even if you don't particular care about the people directly affected -- has the further effect of prolonging the pandemic. Or in other words: to prevent the boat from tipping over completely. So while there are side effects -- it's not like you can say it's being done "on a whim"