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1. A Web of Lies about Sweden
Sweden has left its schools, gyms, cafes, bars and restaurants open throughout the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, the government has urged citizens to act responsibly and follow social distancing guidelines. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-19/sweden-says-controversial-covid-19-strategy-is-proving-effective
Sweden has left its schools, gyms, cafes, bars and restaurants open throughout the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, the government has urged citizens to act responsibly and follow social distancing guidelines. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-19/sweden-says-controversial-covid-19-strategy-is-proving-effective
2. Many have taken to the internet to sing praises of Sweden for not locking down. They assume (incorrectly) that Sweden's policy has been some sort of a roaring success because only about 2,000 people have died from COVID-19 in Sweden. Oh, really?
3. Now I wouldn't even point out some glaring differences between Sweden and most other countries -- things like about 50% of Swedes having a summer cabin, or about 50% of Swedes living alone, etc. which I have not verified -- but I would simply point out some comparable numbers.
4. The best gauge for the success of Sweden's response to coronavirus would be to compare Sweden's performance with those of its Nordic neighbors with whom it shares almost everything -- culture, demographics, healthcare system, economic policies, etc. So that's what I will do.
5. So here are the numbers for Sweden, as of 5 minutes ago, and its Nordic neighbors. I also threw in the U.S. just for kicks, as many in America are too flippant about thinking wistfully about Sweden as their imagined Utopia, especially as regards universal healthcare.
The End
The End
P.S. By the way, Sweden's per capita death rate from COVID-19 is not only much worse than that of the U.S., it is also worse than that of Europe as a whole, including the disastrous numbers from Italy and Spain.
That said, if Swedes are happy with their choices, that's cool.
That said, if Swedes are happy with their choices, that's cool.
