Posted on 04/09/2020 2:55:29 PM PDT by nickcarraway
The Swedish experiment continues to be one of the most interesting things happening in the world right now. Pretty much every other country in the world, including Swedens neighbors Denmark and Norway, have adopted similar types of government-ordered social distancing. But in Sweden, the country is merely asking people to be sensible and hoping thats enough to slow the spread of the virus.
Anders Tegnell, the head epidemiologist at the semi-independent agency that is managing the Swedish response has denied that he is pursuing a herd immunity strategy but has previously said in an interview We will not be able to control it in any other way.
The Swedish response appears almost libertarian at first glance, but it isnt based on trusting individuals so much as it is on trusting that most Swedes will do what the government recommends without being forced.
The government was clear, though, that Swedes should adopt the usual social distancing measures to flatten the curve. And experts told me the population typically trusts what officials say and abides by their guidelines, allowing officials not to have to impose strict measures.
Top Swedish officials say that two-way trust is paying off. It is a myth that life goes on as normal in Sweden. Many people stay at home and have stopped traveling, Swedens Minister of Health and Social Affairs Lena Hallengren told me. There is no full lockdown of Sweden, but many parts of the Swedish society have shut down.
In addition to this high level of trust in government, the Washington Post reports that public health nationalism has taken hold with many Swedes.
In the past few weeks, the country has experienced a bizarre nationalistic wave dubbed public health nationalism (folkhälsonationalism), which celebrates Sweden as an island of common sense in a sea of panic and resistance to science. According to this narrative promulgated by authorities and media alike, cultural exceptionalism such as high public trust makes Sweden particularly well-equipped to manage the pandemic. When asked why Swedens strategy deviates from other countries, Swedens influential former state epidemiologist Johan Giesecke quipped, That is because everyone else is doing it wrong. He went on to explain how he could be so confident: I think we will manage the epidemic without destroying the economy more than necessary. The absolutely most important thing is to protect the elderly from getting infected. I think we succeed quite well in that. It lies in the Swedish national character to do as one is told.
And to be clear, the Swedish approach may still have some long term advantages. There simply isnt enough data to draw conclusions at this point about what the trade-offs will be. Its entirely possible that if were still locked in our homes three months from now and U.S. unemployment is above 30 percent, the Swedish approach may come to look like the wiser choice to some people.
But in the short term, its starting to look as if the Swedish approach will result in an increased death toll and overwhelmed hospitals, i.e. the very thing the U.S. and other countries are trying to avoid:
A head doctor at a major hospital in Sweden says the current approach will probably end in a historical massacre. He says healthcare workers at his hospital who have tested positive for the virus but are asymptomatic have been advised to continue working. He asked to remain anonymous because it is frowned upon to speak of the epidemic or to go against the official vision but said he felt a need to speak out from an ethical and medical point of view.
The Swedish legislature will meet this week to discuss whether tougher measures restricting business and travel should be implemented. Söderberg-Nauclér says its already too late to prevent chaos in Stockholm but that preventative lockdown measures could still be taken throughout other parts of the country.
If they are right and we are wrong, I will open a bottle of champagne, Söderberg-Nauclér says. She notes that, based on the modeling shes seen, the healthcare system in Sweden will collapse if stricter measures are not adopted immediately. But I will not give up the fight until the government shows us evidence for their strategy.
A Swedish virologist told Vox, I didnt sign my informed consent for this experiment. Thats really what this is: A nationwide experiment that were all watching play out in real time. The legislature may decide to clamp down this week and put an end to the experiment but it may already be too late to avoid a disaster. As of today, Sweden has 9,141 confirmed cases and 793 deaths. Denmark has 5,830 confirmed cases and 237 deaths.
This PBS report, published yesterday, gives some good insight into the Swedish approach including resistance to it from within Sweden:
So how do you know how many are "unemployed", with most of the population on lockdown?? And no, it isn't "nonsense". The US already has almost 20,000 fatalities (a bit more than "a few thousand").
4/11/2020.....The Public Health Agency reports A total of 887 people, 516 men and 371 women, have now died. In total, 10,151 people have been confirmed infected in the country. 789 people have so far been in intensive care for covid-19. The Public Health Authority has previously flagged for a certain backlog of reported deaths over weekends.
The Swedes cannot relax and the situation is still serious, Prime Minister Stefan Löfven said in an interview on Swedish TV. He says that it is “obvious” that Sweden’s preparedness has not been good enough to meet the crisis.
5-10 percent have the virus
2.5 percent of the randomly selected 773 Stockholmers tested last week were found to carry the corona virus according to the Public Health Agency. But significantly more than that have at some point been infected. Given the doubling time of six to seven days, between five and ten percent are carriers in Stockholm according to epidemiologist Anders Tegnell.
http://www.nordstjernan.com/news/sweden%20today/8989/
There were 80,000 deaths in this country 2017 flu season we DID NOT shut the entire country down AND no one even knew about it because the MSM did not CREATE the hysteria!! It was not an election year!! They HAD TO crash this economy and they are all patting themselves on the back right now!!
“The US already has almost 20,000 fatalities (a bit more than “a few thousand”
Yes, it’s about the same as a average flu season.
And you are right it’s not non-sense..it’s a Huge overreaction...and it is very serious.
Tell me why we can go to the grocery store but we can’t go to work? We can use the same precautions?
And don’t tell me their is a shortage of gloves and masks..and even if there is.. we are still somehow able to go to the grocery store with a shortage of gloves and masks?
Why aren’t we dropping like flies from going to the grocery stores?
Sorry...you two are short-sighted AND selfish. No further comments to waste on this tripe.
According to Swedish News Nordstjernan, April 08:
50% of the employees in a surgical department at Swedens Linköping University Hospital were infected by the coronavirus. The discovery was made when all 50 employees were tested. Several of the infected had no or very mild symptoms when the test was done. Everyone infected had to leave work.
(Sweden).....”Their paramedics are about to get a taste of whats happening in NYC”......
Looks like that’s quite possible from what I’m reading in their news. Also Just posted a Hospital in Sweden tested their medical staff .....50% tested positive so they sent them home. That will of course put thir Hosptial staff remaining overwhelmed sooner rather than later.
Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
Does not apply to this situation. The meme you are missing is that this situation is TEMPORARY and not a permanent alteration of our social contract (Constitution).
Franklin would have understood and approved.
You fear mongers never give up.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.