In this podcast, Professor Norma Correa Aste, a Peruvian anthropologist, examines the widespread harms in her country caused by COVID-19 lockdown measures. She discusses the disproportionate impact on vulnerable communities, particularly in Latin America, where economic hardship and social inequalities worsened. Correa Aste highlights the severe consequences of school closures, including learning loss and increased child labour. She critiques the lack of flexibility in public health policies, arguing that rigid lockdowns led to unintended negative outcomes such as mental health crises and economic collapse. She calls for a more balanced approach in future crises, emphasising the need to consider social and economic factors alongside public health measures.