As draconian lockdowns, punitive regimes and surveillance become the norm of the coronavirus world, Sweden has treaded more softly in the field. This is certainly in contrast to its Scandinavian cousins, Denmark and Norway. The rudiments of a life uninterrupted generally remain in place. Cafes, restaurants and shops, for the most part, remain open and stocked. As do gyms and cinemas. Vibrant after-ski parties persist, much to the bemused horror of those across the border.
Prime Minister Stefan Löfven, embracing the principle of voluntariness over coercion, has issued warnings to citizens to keep travel down to a minimum, avoiding anything non-essential. The traditional age group those over 70 have been told to mind their movements and stay at home. In the prime minister’s words during a televised speech, Us adults need to be exactly that: adults. Not spread panic or rumours. No one is alone in this crisis, but each person carries a heavy responsibility.
Despite all of this, Sweden’s authorities show that they do have a foot on the brake, albeit one applied with slow motion caution. Gatherings used to be limited to 500 that confidently embraced number has now been reduced to 50, a measure that will be policed. Bars can only provide table service. Colleges and universities have moved to a virtual format in line with recommendations issued on March 18.
But the Public Health Agency exerts a powerful influence, insisting that a lockdown is simply unwarranted. Local sports tournaments and matches required no cancellations exercise and sports were healthy initiatives. Organisers of events and seminars were responsible for conducting a risk assessment and providing information about good hand hygiene, and access to hand washing facilities for all participants.
The focus, rather, is on individual initiative, minimising instances of transmission while herd immunity builds up, or a vaccine is found. If over 70, avoid using public transport, shopping in supermarkets, visiting areas of congregation. Instead, ask friends, family or neighbours to do your shopping etc. Work from home, if you can. This is to decrease the speed of transmission and the number of people needing hospital care.
The numbers of COVID-19 cases in Sweden have not been negligible. From the first recorded case on February 4, 2020, the total, as of March 30, 2020, stands at 4,028. Deaths come in at 146, though a disproportionate number come from a Somali community located in less commodious quarters with extended families.
Despite the highest death toll of the Nordic countries, state epidemiologist Anders Tegnell is supremely confident that the strategy has worked well, with Sweden showing a relatively flat curve of infection relative to Italy and Spain. We want to slow down the epidemic until Sweden experiences a sort of peak, and if the peak is not too dramatic we can continue.
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