yes, and the potential counterargument there is that it flattens the curve rather than directly decreases death rates. however, that's subject to the same sort

yes, and the potential counterargument there is that it flattens the curve rather than directly decreases death rates. however, that's subject to the same sort of null hypothesis, where relatively light mitigations (modest distancing, avoiding crowded indoor gatherings, and mask usage at the margins) probably do just as well at flattening the curve, which means there's no rational room for lockdowns in this pandemic.