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I don't think anyone disputes that vaccines are better but as of today we don't have one.

I didn't say just vaccines. I said pharmacological interventions, which are more than just vaccines. No one worries about a disease if it can be treated. There are two approved drugs so far, with a third under emergency use authorization review right now. These are the way out (with an eventual vaccine afterwards).

But again, nobody is arguing against that ideal scenario.

You compared lockdowns to a bandaid, and I agree. We need bandaids sometimes until we get proper treatment.

Given the rise of "zero covid" ideas, which are unfeasible in the long run or even medium term (even with New Zealand's success, all it takes is an error... and of course, we all make mistakes), some countries are mistaking lockdowns for treatments.

OTOH, I'm not aware, at least in the EU (where I am located) of large pharmacological efforts sponsored by governments: most of the results have come, for good or bad, from the USA's Warp Speed or the UK. Yes, BNTech and CureVac are German, but they are exceptions, rather than the rule.

It isn't even proven that lockdowns can actually save lives, although the last study touching this among a whole load of other risk factors (from U of Toronto) can be now considered old (data up to early May).

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