International Comparisons of COVID-19 Case and Mortality Data and the Effectiveness of Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions: A Plea for Reconsideration

Making international comparisons of the effectiveness of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID19) non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) based on national case and mortality data isfraught with complexity. This article calls for stronger attention to just how extensive is themultifactorial nature of national case and mortality data, and argues that, unless a globallyconsistent benchmark of measurement can be devised, such comparisons are facile, if notmisleading. This can lead to policy decisions and public support for the adoption ofpotentially harmful NPIs that are ineffective in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic anddamaging to mental health, social cohesion, human rights and economic development. Theunscientific use of international comparisons of case and mortality data in public discourse,media reporting and policymaking on NPI effectiveness should be subject to greater scrutiny.