To lockdown or not to lockdown? This is a question governments worldwide are struggling with the emergence of a new COVID-19 variant. Some believe it's inevitable that Omicron drags the world back into difficulties, with countries and cities having to impose lockdowns. On the other hand, those opposing lockdowns feel that such measures would harm the economy and lead to loss of livelihoods. So how effective are lockdowns, exactly? Is it still necessary to choose this controversial method at this stage of the pandemic?