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Sweden’s former chief epidemiologist Dr Johan Giesecke has admitted that Sweden’s herd immunity approach to controlling the Covid-19 pandemic might not work in Ireland having previously advocated for a “controlled spread” of the virus.
Dr. Giesecke testified before the Oireachtas Covid-19 committee on Wednesday in which he outlined how the approach has worked in the Scandinavian country.
In his opening speech, Dr. Giesecke said that there should be a “controlled spread” among those under 60 years of age and that the state should allow a “tolerable spread” of the virus in those over 60.
He said schools should stay open and noted that there was no difference between infections between schoolchildren in Sweden, where schools remained open, and in neighboring Finland, which closed its schools.
Speaking later, Dr Giesecke denied that he was prescribing the Swedish model for Ireland after he was told that differences between Irish and Swedish population densities, class sizes and sickness benefits would likely mean different results in Both countries.
“I’m not prescribing anything for Ireland,” he told Drivetime on RTÉ Radio One. “You have to make your own decisions. That does not depend on me.
“What you just told me, I don’t know. I am opposed to your saying that I am telling Ireland what to do. I am not.
“What you are telling me are many things that I do not know. They asked me to join this committee. I did not volunteer. With all this knowledge of the Irish situation and the way your country works, I cannot tell you that this would be better for Ireland. “
In his speech to the Oireachtas committee, Dr. Giesecke also said that “zero Covid” was not a viable solution because it would have to be applied in all countries of the world.
Sweden’s “soft blockade” worked because the country trusted its people, he said, adding that “people are not stupid” and would respond if told how to protect themselves.
Dr. Giesecke added that Covid-19 constituted a threat to democracy in many countries and some politicians acquired additional powers that they might not relinquish.
He also told the committee that it was too early to compare the Covid-19 strategies of different countries. “We are just at the beginning of this epidemic,” he said.
Dr. Giesecke suggested that older people should adhere to the rules on how to protect themselves against Covid-19 by keeping a distance of two meters from other people, washing their hands, and avoiding large social gatherings.
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