We are on a sort of a plateau in Sweden, says the nation’s state epidemiologist Anders Tegnell. He is architect of his country’s boldly alternative approach to Covid-19. His policy allows bars, restaurants, cafes, schools, and even gyms to stay open. But it does encourage residents to maintain safe distances and act responsibly.
They Are on a Sort of a Plateau in Sweden with Great Health Care
We don’t know whether China’s unrelenting pressure, the West’s more democratic approach, or Sweden’s self-management strategy will work best. However, we do know the Scandinavian country has one of the world’s finest healthcare systems. Could this be why they are on a sort of a plateau in Sweden?
Sweden has not experienced severe shortages of medical equipment or hospital beds. Its emergency tented-care facilities across the country have seldom been used. Its Covid-19 death rates may be considerably higher than its Scandinavian neighbors, but they are far lower than Italy, Spain and the UK.
The Trend is Stabilizing, Including in Intensive Care Facilities
We are seeing a flatter curve, agrees Karin Tegmark Wisell. She is head of microbiology at Sweden’s Public Health Authority, and told Bloomberg the same pattern is found in intensive care. However, there may be other social factors.
Over half Swedish households are single person ones, and there are heavy fines for not socially distancing. Moreover, holiday travel was 96% less this Easter, and the streets of the cities are eerily quiet especially at night.
However, Foreign Minister Ann Linde denies her country is radically different from its global compatriots. We are on a sort of a plateau in Sweden, but this does not mean life goes on as normal, she says. The government has made decisions that affect the whole society and we are obeying them.
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