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At a time when much of Europe is tightening measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, Sweden is modifying its measures in the face of the increase in cases, but is staying true to its original strategy, without imposing blockades or mandatory measures.
In recent days, Sweden has announced stricter recommendations, but at the same time relaxed many meters, continuing on its lonely course.
The number of new COVID-19 cases has been increasing steadily since mid-September. On Thursday, health authorities registered 1,614 new cases, the highest number since June.
An upward trend is observed in many European countries, which have chosen to impose mini-closures and traffic bans to limit the spread of the pandemic.
Less serious Sweden, which has 5,930 deaths from Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic and one of the highest death rates in Europe, tends to modify its approach.
Earlier this week, new measures were taken in Uppsala, where coronavirus infections are on the rise following the students’ return to university in early fall.
Residents are now advised to avoid public transportation and contact with people outside their home until November 3.
“People can only follow such strict rules for a limited time and the choice of time is important. We cannot start too early and we cannot wait too long (…) we hope the time is right,” justifies epidemiologist Anders Tegnel, who outlines Sweden’s strategy for the pandemic.
Life goes on
Unlike the rest of the world, Sweden is still one of the few countries that does not recommend the use of a mask, and the health authorities do not consider it effective enough.
In Stockholm, daily life has not changed much since the beginning of the pandemic: most residents have their faces uncovered, and restaurants and shops have never closed.
Although images of crowded restaurants and buses have traveled the world, most polls show that 80% of Swedes have changed their habits in a country known for its social discipline.
Residents work primarily from home, have reduced their contacts, and wash their hands regularly.
Relaxation of measures
Yesterday, the Swedish government gave the surprise by withdrawing the recommendations to those most vulnerable to the coronavirus, especially those over 70 years old, who had been asked since the beginning of the pandemic to stay at home.
To justify their decision, the authorities said they feared the appearance of psychological problems, such as depression and loneliness, associated with isolation.
The ban on home visits, one of the few imposed during the pandemic, was also lifted in early October.
Although gatherings of more than 50 people have been banned since the end of March, yesterday the government increased to 300 the number of those who can attend cultural and sports meetings.
Polls show that the majority of Swedes support the authorities’ approach. However, there are criticisms, both abroad and at home.
At the beginning of the covid-19 pandemic, some accused Sweden of playing Russian roulette with its inhabitants, with a death toll far higher than that registered in neighboring countries that have adopted stricter measures.
The government defends its model and speaks of lasting measures, of “a marathon and not a road race.”
For Johan Carlson, director of the Swedish Public Health Service, the goal is “to create a situation in which we can live our lives in a relatively normal way given the limitations” and to adopt an acceptable and adherent strategy.
The rest of Europe is showing, according to him, that the blockades and their removal “are not the right way”.
Source: ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ
