Did State Mask Requirements and Vaccine Mandates Reduce COVID-19 Deaths?

This study examines the impact of state-level COVID-19 restrictions on excess deaths in the U.S. during the pandemic. Using cross-sectional data from the CDC covering 2020 to 2022, the analysis compares excess death rates across states with varying levels of restrictions. The findings reveal that stringent restrictions, such as mask mandates and vaccine requirements, were associated with 10% to 21% fewer excess deaths compared to states with weaker restrictions. In contrast, prohibitions on these measures correlated with higher death rates. The study estimates that strong restrictions could have prevented 271,000 to 447,000 deaths over the two-year period.

Full Citation and Link to Article:

Ruhm, Christopher J. (2024). "US State Restrictions and Excess COVID-19 Pandemic Deaths." JAMA Health Forum, 5(7).

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