Lena Hallengren holds us responsible for older people

The virus is still just as deadly

Published: October 22, 2020 at 7:45 p.m.

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Photo: Anders Wiklund / TT / TT NYHETSBYR≈N

Possibly, the Minister of Social Affairs, Lena Hallengren, had chosen the moment of the press conference with the target group in mind. Older people tend to have early habits.

Yet in many other ways, the timing of the announcement that special restrictions for the elderly and other at-risk groups are now being abolished was a bit strange.

At the same time that Hallengren met with the press, it was reported that France had reached one million infected. In Italy, the spread is now the fastest since last winter and in Ireland, the partnership will be closed again.

Young adults in focus

Here at home, the spread among young adults is in focus and infection control authorities have issued special advice for Uppsala. More regions can be online.

The corona pandemic is certainly not over. As the Minister himself said the other day, perhaps it has just begun.

Still, maybe yesterday’s decision was necessary. Like the ban on visiting nursing homes, the call for the elderly to isolate themselves has come at a cost. It has created practical problems, but above all loneliness.

Life doesn’t go as usual

The lifting of the special recommendations for people in risk groups does not mean that you are free to live as usual. That is not the case with any of us. The advice on distance, common sense and clean hands continues to apply. The one with the fewest symptoms should stay home.

This applies to the elderly as well as to everyone else.

The virus is still as deadly and as dangerous to society as it was six months ago.

We must protect each other

What Hallengren did yesterday was change responsibility. It is no longer the responsibility of risk groups to protect themselves. It is a responsibility that we must assume together.

Morally, of course, it is true. We all have a responsibility. In practice, the decision may also be the only one possible. There is a limit to the duration of isolation.

Now it only remains to be seen whether we are ready to take on the responsibility entrusted to us by the Minister for Social Affairs. After all, it is a matter of life and death.

Of: Ingvar Persson

Published: October 22, 2020 at 7:45 p.m.

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