Globally, governments and their expert medical advisors are focused on solutions to reduce the transmission (R-value) and mortality rates of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). However, this letter aims to draw attention to the evidence that suggests there are a plethora of unintentional side effects on the mental health of the individual and wider society, produced by the measures implemented to control COVID-19 (i.e., government-imposed lockdowns). Following a brief discussion of these side effects, we present our opinions for positive change using sport, exercise and physical activity (PA) as a tool for ameliorating many of these side effects. COVID-19 restrictions have largely been driven by transmission and mortality rates, but there are reported issues with COVID-19 test sensitivity, a lack of testing, and misclassifications of death from or with COVID-19 (Pearce et al., 2020). While lockdowns currently persist, it is important to highlight that the mean case fatality rate for COVID-19 in adults under the age of 60 years is estimated to be 0.2%, rising to 9.3% in the over 80s (Ferguson et al., 2020). Where as, symptomatic infections in children are uncommon with a low risk of serious disease (Jordan et al., 2020). Whilst we appreciate that stopping the spread and mortality risk of COVID-19 is vital, consideration of the effects of lockdown restrictions on mental health are just as important, as failure to do so promptly, could prove to be as problematic as COVID-19 itself.
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