The real problem is that we should have locked down differently. Lockdowns were absolutely necessary, but the way which we locked down - what was allowed / rest

The real problem is that we should have locked down differently. Lockdowns were absolutely necessary, but the way which we locked down - what was allowed / restricted and the way we emotionally dealt with the pandemic - was really, really bad. - Half-assed enforcement, mainly using shame and fear. This leads to good people overcompensating and assholes ignoring the restrictions. Any level of lockdown is better if it's actually enforced on everyone. - Allowing and restricting all the wrong things. Boston had indoor bars and restaurants allowed but closed schools and gyms, WTF? People continue to work in-person but all leisure activities are cancelled. So (combined with bad enforcement) you are hurting good people and not actually mitigating the virus at the same time. - Worst of all, not the actual restrictions, but the hopelessness everyone expresses towards them. "Welp, looks like we have to isolate and be depressed for the next 6 months". You can hang out and have fun without spreading the virus, but most people don't even try.