COVID-19 waiver country lifts almost all restrictions: reveals Swedish secret of success

According to the government decision, masks become mandatory in closed rooms in Lithuania from Friday, it is recommended to work remotely.

On the last day, 1847 new cases and 14 deaths were identified. Lithuania has not seen so many new cases since the beginning of this year, a higher number of new cases was recorded only in January this year. On Wednesday, it was already possible to count 32 black COVID-19 municipalities in Lithuania.

And all of Lithuania reached the COVID-19 black zone last week.

Marius Strioga, an oncoinmunologist at the National Cancer Institute and doctor of biomedical sciences, explained that the bad situation in Lithuania is due to several factors.

“One thing is the insufficient level of vaccination and, more importantly, the insufficient level of immunization in the elderly population (especially in those aged 70 to 80 years). And we need to know that the general state of our public health, and especially that of the elderly, including comorbidities, is significantly worse than, say, the Scandinavian countries, “said Strioga.

The doctor disagrees with the sometimes heard suggestions to simply create more places for combat patients in hospitals.

“What does it mean – very few beds? (…) The bed does not change anything, there must be professionals. There are between 700 and 800 anesthesiologists-resuscitators in Lithuania. They also have to go to operations and work in resuscitation. What about the fact that we will provide those resuscitation beds? It says, “retrain others.” But listen, residency studies last three to four years, depending on the specialty. (…) If we provide those beds with unqualified specialists, it could still be worse, ”said M. Strioga.

Sweden is lifting most restrictions

At a time when restrictions are tightening in Lithuania, Sweden is lifting most of the restrictions on the coronavirus, which were already relatively light here. There are no longer restrictions on the number of spectators at meetings and events such as soccer matches and concerts in the country. Without limiting the number of guests, it is possible to organize private celebrations: weddings or birthdays. The work-from-home recommendation is also being dropped, ELTA wrote.

However, people with symptoms should continue to work from home and get tested for coronavirus. The decision of the Swedish government and the health service to lift the restrictions is explained by a successful vaccination campaign.

To date, more than 83% in Sweden. people over the age of 16 received at least one dose of the vaccine, more than 76 percent. already fully vaccinated. Before that, other Scandinavian countries, Denmark and Norway, lifted the existing restrictions.

However, some of the recommendations will remain in Sweden, especially for residents who have not yet been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Unvaccinated adults should avoid large gatherings and close physical contact with older and at-risk people.

I’m glad the situation is improving

Rūta Žičkienė, president of the Lithuanian community in Stockholm, said she was happy both because the restrictions were easing and, in general, because the situation was improving.

“My own life hasn’t changed much. Since I have been working in kindergarten, kindergartens have never closed, working conditions in kindergarten have changed only slightly. Suppose the parents were unable to enter the building, which is still observed because it was decided that it was a fairly effective way to reduce the chances of illness.

Social life returns more. Let’s say what is relevant to the community, that we can start organizing events again now, we can collect what we long for, ”said R. Žičkienė.

According to the president of the community, in the past there were restrictions on how many people can be in a room.

“Scientific requirements to reduce infection by observing distances and hygiene were met, and this required certain prohibitions or recommendations,” commented R. Žičkienė.

Young people are happy with the opportunities that open up

Darius Kvainauskas, president of the Swedish Lithuanian youth community, also said that it would be a great pleasure to get back into communication.

“It just came to our notice then. From today they open concerts, big sporting events, dances and discos. I think the young people are very happy with that, and we are organizing a bigger event in the Lithuanian youth community for a few weeks, which which is a lot of fun for us, ”said D. Kvainauskas.

Swedes trust science

According to the president of the youth community, Swedes are willing to get vaccinated.

“The Swedish government cites this as the main reason we can open up, some European countries are closing. We currently have 76 percent who are fully vaccinated and 84 percent. (people over 16 years old) who received at least one dose, ”said D. Kvainauskas.

The president of the Lithuanian community in Stockholm added that although people are vaccinated willingly enough, it is not emphasized that vaccination is a condition for someone.

“Vaccination is not a requirement anywhere, when you go to work or elsewhere. There are all kinds of people, there are also skeptics, but they probably don’t have much to talk about out loud. You don’t see many of them.” R. Žičkienė commented.

According to the community president, the secret of Swedish success lies in education.

“The entire Swedish education system has been science-based for many, many years, more than a century. People have grown up in this system, and for them, when all these measures are science-based, it doesn’t really matter. . They just trust science, “said R. Žičkienė.

Unvaccinated people were asked to take care of themselves

In Sweden after September 29. there are no restrictions for anyone. There are only recommendations left so that unvaccinated people keep their distance and do not choose places where there will be many people.

“It means that the responsibility simply remains with the unvaccinated people: don’t go, keep your distance and nobody will control anything,” explained D. Kvainauskas.

Ms Žičkienė pointed out that the Swedish Government website presented this as a request to unvaccinated people to continue to follow all the above recommendations.

The Lithuanian Lithuanian said that so far he had not seen many people wearing masks.

“There was no need because the clubs were closed, the concerts were not held due to restrictions. Most people wore masks when driving on public transport, where there was a risk of the virus spreading, or if a person really needs a tent, and they may be a bit cold, put them on while protecting others. ” said R. Žičkienė.

At the same time, D. Kvainauskas pointed out that masks were never compulsory in Sweden.

“There was only one recommendation to wear them during peak hours, so not many people wore the masks,” he said.

Italians are taking tougher measures

And Italy is taking stricter measures to stop the spread of COVID-19. Starting October 15, all workers will be asked to present a green passport proving that the worker has been vaccinated, is ill, or has a negative coronavirus test.

Elze Di Meglio, president of the Lithuanian community in Italy, explained that people who are already working without a green passport will not be fired, but without this document they will not be able to go to work and receive a salary.

“The good experience of the last school year, when all the medical and school personnel had to be vaccinated or tested, showed that the number of cases had at least stopped. So most of the parties are in favor of this tightening, “said Di Meglio.

A Lithuanian Italian said they had been walking inside with masks until then.

“Outdoors, if there is at least one meter away, you can be without a mask. Now, with a green passport, we could go to museums, theaters, sports clubs, restaurants, indoors. It was possible to be outside without a green passport.

And as of October 15, the conditions will be stricter and everyone must have a vaccination certificate or proof, ”said E. Di Meglio.

According to the Lithuanian Italian, the suggestion that those who do not want to be vaccinated can get tested for free sparked the most discussion.

“But it was decided that the tests could still be done for free only by people who actually have medical certificates that they cannot be vaccinated,” Di Meglio said.

According to the interlocutor, around 72% have already been fully vaccinated in Italy. people.

“The adjustment was announced a month before so that people could do it. Vaccination centers have noticed an increase in the number of people willing to get vaccinated,” Di Dilio said.