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This week, state epidemiologist Anders Tegnell opened to ease restrictions for people over 70.
– In a couple of months, we’ll come up with a plan to break your isolation. It will be more equal for everyone, he said Tuesday at SVT’s Aktuellt.
However, he noted that the weather aspect may be somewhat optimistic and that the plan is based on the fact that the spread of the coronavirus virus remains low in society, writes TT.
The Swedish Public Health Agency and the National Board of Health and Welfare are also investigating whether the temporary ban on visiting nursing homes should be lifted after September 30.
Annika Linde, who was a state epidemiologist at the then Smittskyddsinstitutet authority between 2005 and 2013, he is optimistic about easing the rules.
– If it can happen without reducing the safety of the elderly, that’s great, he tells DN.
At the same time, he believes that society should already make sure to organize more events for seniors and risk groups, especially considering that autumn makes outdoor activities difficult. The public health authority should encourage municipalities to think about what they can do themselves and how they can help the local business community offer activities for at-risk groups, he says.
– Can you imagine having one night a week in which only people in the risk group, who have remained isolated, can go to a restaurant, cinema, library or theater. If the business community is having difficulty figuring out how to proceed safely, they should be able to turn to infection control for advice.
When it comes to people in nursing homes believes that efforts must be made to find solutions. It is unreasonable that people with little time to live are not allowed to meet their close relatives, he says.
– The negative covid-19 test before the visit would be the best, it would allow close contact. Freedom from symptoms, mouth protection, and a well-ventilated room where you can keep your distance is a slightly worse alternative, but better than nothing.
The temporary restraining order in nursing homes applies until September 30.
Photo: Pontus Lundahl / TT
Linde is basically He is not opposed to the Swedish strategy, but believes that isolation has had a great impact on many older people and points out that loneliness is a huge risk factor for other diseases.
– There are many who have not left and are quite desperate at this point.
In Sweden, it has been criticized that some people, preferably young people, do not seem to follow advice to keep their distance. At the same time, both the World Health Organization and the Public Health Agency fear that young people could be a new engine in the spread of the infection.
She thinks it has been more egalitarian in other countries that have closed completely, where everyone has been forced to sit at home.
– Sweden’s strategy has been a form of age discrimination, even if it was to protect us. It would have been a different matter if young people had listened to the advice of the Public Health Agency, but there are many examples that they do not care. It is ruthless to us older people: the greater the spread of infection, the greater the risk of becoming infected.
The Public Health Council of the National Board of Health and Welfare Iréne Nilsson Carlsson believes that, of course, there are drawbacks to the restraining order. Residents and family members must meet at the same time, as it means a restriction on the self-determination of residents.
However, he points out that it is not age itself, but effort that is regulated.
– If you are 85 years old and have home assistance, you are not covered by the restraining order, which is linked to the fact that fragile people live quite close to common premises and that there have been problems with the spread of covid-19 in special homes.
The Swedish Public Health Agency sees the job of protecting the elderly as a balancing act.
– From the side of a national authority, we follow and analyze developments and try to identify vulnerable groups. It is precisely to allow other actors to create safe ways to socialize, says Karin Tegmark Wisell, head of department of the authority.
Could it have done more to counteract loneliness and isolation among the elderly?
– Probably could always have done more, with the result in hand. We believe that it has been important to highlight that these are very vulnerable people and that it is extremely important to protect them as much as possible. Of course, this can be done in different ways, but in general we see that this strategy has been necessary.
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