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While all of Europe is locked up at home and assemblies larger than two are forbidden in most countries, Sweden takes a slightly different approach. The government, instead of orders and bans, issues recommendations and counts on the residents to behave responsibly and adults.
Sweden has a different approach to fighting the COVID-19 pandemic from the rest of Europe. Instead of significant restrictions imposed on citizens, as is the case e.g. in Poland, the Swedish government recommends its citizens to keep social distancing, teleworking, stay at home if you have symptoms of the disease (even if it is a common cold) and isolate people over the age of 70.
From Sunday (March 29.03), gatherings of more than 50 people are forbidden. Despite this kindergartens, nurseries and primary schools were not closed. Universities have moved to the e-learning system, as usually more than 50 or even 500 people gather there. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also advises against traveling to other countries.
As the Prime Minister of Sweden, Stefan Lofven, said in a televised address to the nation: “We are adult people and we must behave like adults, and not spread panic or gossip. Nobody is alone in this crisis, but each person has a great responsibility ”.
In the case of Swedes, the government’s recommendations seem to be working as expected. Most of the country’s inhabitants watched the Prime Minister’s speech and, according to the poll that was conducted after the speech, they intend to follow the recommendations. Sweden has a very high level of confidence in the government.
Demography also speaks in favor of this country. In other countries, very often several generations of a family live under the same roof, while in Sweden more than half of households are single-person households (Eurostat data) – the highest percentage in Europe. Young Swedes most often move out from their parents after the age of 18-19. age.
Lola Akinmade Åkerström, author of the book «Lagom. The Swedish secret to living well »in an interview with the BBC also pointed out that Swedes are used to staying at home when they feel unwell or start to fall ill. This is because employers encourage employees to stay home to avoid the spread of disease. It is also influenced by the remuneration that the employee receives during the stay on the so-called “Sick”. The author of the book also notes that the Swedes keep their distance and avoid unnecessary contacts with strangers on a daily basis. Most companies have also significantly developed the remote work system.
See also: When will we find out how many people infected with the virus in Poland have already recovered?
Is the Swedish way of fighting the pandemic correct?
Swedes put individual responsibility on and believe that recommendations will have more positive effects than do’s and don’ts. Is this a good strategy during a pandemic?
– COVID-19 disease will probably stay with us for years. For the first 2 or 3, it will be in the front pages of the newspapers, with the outbreaks of infection returning. Then it will become one of the many controlled by medical recommendations, by vaccinations, and perhaps also by natural or artificially acquired immunity. This requires developing a strategy to deal with the current situation, but also long-term strategies must be considered. Certain recommendations that make sense in Italy or Spain may have little impact in Sweden, for example, explains the drug. Jacek Gleba.
Our expert points out that Sweden, as can be seen from the fairly good results of the epidemic, rationally adjusted its precautionary measures, taking into account the condition of the state and the responsibility of its inhabitants.
– You can see that the case monitoring is at a good level and the pandemic is under control. I am sure that when needs arise, and further changes will be implemented – he adds.
See also: When will the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic end? We check what the scientists say
Are Swedes counting on herd immunity to COVID-19?
Due to the rather liberal approach to preventing the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus compared to other countries, there have been voices that the Swedish government is counting on the fact that the people of this country will acquire immunity to COVID-19 thanks to the disease. However, this has not been officially confirmed.
Swedish epidemiologists estimate that 1% of the country can get the coronavirus. Swedish population, i.e. just over 100 people. According to these estimates, 17 people will go to hospitals. people, and about 5 thousand. of them will need intensive care. The peak of the incidence wave is expected in about three months, and the first wave of the COVID-19 epidemic may last up to six months in this country.
Herd immunity is the protection of people not immunized as a result of vaccination. It is based on the protection of non-immune people by those who are immunized. A pathogen that cannot spread among those who are immune to a given disease does not reach those who are immune.
Is it possible for society to acquire herd immunity to COVID-19 just by contracting the disease?
— We have always lived with infections, and flu immunity is one of the essential components of human survival as a species. There are many hypotheses in the case of COVID-19, but we do not have enough data on the immune mechanism triggered by the infection, explains Dr. Gleb and adds: – We know, for example, that IgM and IgG specific for this infection are produced, and that’s good message. We do not know how long they last and to what extent they prevent the development of the disease in the future.
Taking these considerations into account, at the moment we do not know how likely it is that the body will acquire immunity after the disease and for how long. There is also no vaccine developed that would help generate population immunity on a massive scale.
Is the Swedish way to fight the pandemic good? It remains to be seen in the coming months. Today (March 31.03.2020, 4), 435 cases of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection have been diagnosed in Sweden, according to the John Hopkins Institute. 180 people died and 16 were cured.
Have a question about the coronavirus? Send them to the following address: [email protected]. You will find a daily updated list of answers HERE: Coronavirus – frequently asked questions and answers
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