Scientists discover new terrifying effects that lockdowns and masks had on our bodies

Scientists have found that lockdowns lead to much higher levels of inflammation in people’s bodies.

It’s thought that the lack of exposure to common germs weakened our immune systems, making us more vulnerable to infections and diseases.

Researchers in the Netherlands followed 1,800 people before, during and after draconian measures were imposed, including school closures and mask mandates.

Lab tests showed that patients exposed to a variety of bacteria and viruses before the lockdowns generally had little inflammation in their bodies.

But after the measures were imposed and people were forced to stay at home, laboratory tests showed that exposure to bacteria or viruses led to ‘hyperinflammation’.

Experts say the high levels of inflammation can cause people to experience more severe symptoms in response to common infections.

Dr. Mihai Netea, the doctor who led the study, said: ‘In our daily lives we are constantly exposed to various microorganisms. This helps train our immune system, so it learns to recognize which microorganisms are dangerous and which are harmless.

‘During the lockdown we missed that interaction because everyone stayed home and avoided each other. As a result, immune cells exposed to microorganisms during and immediately after the lockdown periods showed a less well-regulated response, making them more susceptible to hyperinflammation.”

The researchers linked their results to the hygiene hypothesis, or the idea that reduced exposure to pathogens can increase the risk of problems with the immune system.

In the paper, the scientists said the impact of this increase in inflammation levels was not clear.

But previous studies have suggested that high levels of inflammation may increase the risk of plaque being deposited in the artery walls, causing them to narrow and increasing the risk of heart disease.

Scientists have also suggested that high levels of inflammation may increase the risk of cancer, dementia and other health problems in the long term.

In the study – published today in the journal Boundaries — researchers recruited participants between October 2019 and October 2021.

A total of 368 participants were recruited before the pandemic, while 851 participants were recruited after the lockdown but before a Covid infection or vaccination.

Nearly all participants had HIV, using these individuals because their blood is regularly tested for HIV and inflammation levels.

HIV patients may have chronic, low-grade inflammation as a result of the infection, which increases their risk for many diseases, including heart disease. It can be monitored as part of the care of patients with the infection.

The study also involved 175 people who had contracted a Covid infection and 404 people who had been vaccinated against the disease.

Doctors have warned that the lockdowns could cause people to have more inflammation in their bodies (stock)

Scientists isolated immune cells from the volunteers’ blood and examined how they interacted with viruses and bacteria.

Pathogens tested included E.coli, pneumonia, tuberculosis and the common fungus C. albicans.

The results of these tests in HIV patients were compared with 30 people who did not have the disease and whose blood was also tested before and after the lockdown.

Dr. Netea added: “Lockdowns were necessary during the pandemic, especially in the beginning.

‘However, it is important that we gain a better understanding of how social interactions influence and activate our immune system so that we can better manage the consequences.

‘This way we can apply such drastic social measures effectively and safely in the event of a future pandemic.’

Like parts of the US, the Netherlands also imposed a lockdown at the start of the Covid pandemic.

The Netherlands had its first lockdown from March 23 to June 1, 2020. Another lockdown was declared from December 2020 to February 2021, and a third in December 2021.

The second lockdown sparked protests in the country, with local police even using water cannons to force people to follow the restrictions.

In the US, lockdowns were decided on a state-by-state basis, with Democratic states such as New York and California coming into contact with restrictions much faster than their Republican counterparts.

Although the study did not look at face masks, mandates to wear these coverings were imposed in the Netherlands around the same time.

Other research has found that masks make ‘little to no difference’ in whether someone may be suffering from a Covid infection.

There is a risk that wearing the same mask for long periods of time will result in a significant amount of bacteria and viruses building up on the mask and then being inhaled by the wearer, leading to high levels of inflammation.