I really don't think it's me being naive here.
I said the hypothesis was hopelessly naive.
Which countries have followed your recommended strategy of allowing the virus to sweep across nations totally unchecked?
AFAIA there is ‘no data’ for your alternative because nobody has been stupid enough to try it. Though Sweden had a go, before ‘adjusting’ their approach.
Last time I checked, which I accept is not recently, the economies that have survived the best, are those in which lockdowns came early and hard. This was never a
choice between the economy
or the virus. Economies are massively impacted by the virus alone!
Lockdowns most definitely
DO work. (I accept the later ‘mockdowns’ have only a marginal effect) You just think the ‘price’ is too high. You are entitled to your opinion, which you voice prolifically on this matter.
Yet you accept the ‘price’ of your own preferred alternative cannot be quantified.
It’s hardly the most persuasive argument I’ve ever heard.