Covid And Sweden

[jennyjoan]

There was a programme on last night - do think it was seen only in NI.

Anyway it was portraying that Sweden are doing well in this Covid, - they didn't even go into lockdown.

Could anybody explain that please and thank you.

[woofgang]

Here's a comment by a Swede https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-myth-of-sweden

[jennyjoan]

thanks Woofgang.

[Old_Geezer]

Because they didn't panic, and their leaders were courageous enough to take the risk, and the result was that they found their experiences of the pandemic were not that different to others who felt the need for excessive responses. If the hospitals can cope, and individuals make, on the whole, sensible precautions for themselves, then, as for all past pandemics, the population gets by without almost ruining their lives and economy.

[jno]

it depends. They've done a bit better than Britain has, without a lockdown. But they've done a lot worse than their Scandinavian neighbours.

[The Builder]

We were discussing this in the pub last night (where else?)
We came to the conclusion that, when restrictions are presented, and left to your own discretion, Swedes tend to take the attitude.. "Ok, it might make sense... let's give it a go."... and each follows their own consciences.

In this country it's more a case of "...never never never will be slaves" etc
Which is why restrictions, in this country, tend to be counter-productive.

[andres]

Nearly half the Covid deaths were in old peoples homes . In fact the Swedish people called it a 'massacre' .

[dannyk13]

OG // their leaders were courageous enough to take the risk//
Reading the link it would appear that they had little choice.

[fiveleaves]

There are differences between us and Sweden. The main one being the much lower population density in Sweden.
There was social distancing in Sweden even if bars, shops stayed open.
If you compare the Covid deaths in Sweden with neighbouring Scandinavian nations Norway and Denmark, Sweden doesn't come out of it very well

[jennyjoan]

One Northern Irish lady was interviewed - she had been living in Sweden for 40 years, married to a Swede and had two kids. She said that social distancing was so easy as they (as a nation) are not friendly - so in a queue for example at a bus stop - stay (naturally) apart.

[Mamyalynne]

She doesn't work for the tourist board I take it?

[New Judge]

//- so in a queue for example at a bus stop - stay (naturally) apart.//

Unlike here, of course, where a "queue" is something you strike a snooker ball with.

The reckoning should not be solely based on Covid cases and deaths. The "collateral damage" (economic and non-Covid health) should also be considered and that won't be known for some time. One thing's for sure - there's an awful lot more of that to come here and, I would wager, a lot more than there is to come in Sweden.