Swedish approach guided by science not the politicians
POPULAR WEXFORD MUSICIAN ‘MOCHA’ MALONEY EXPERIENCING A DIFFERENT TYPE OF COVID EXPERIENCE IN HIS ADOPTED HOME OF SWEDEN
WEXFORD singer-songwriter, Ian ‘Mocha’ Moloney, has been living in Sweden for a few years now having first become familiar with the country over 25 years ago as lead singer and songwriter with the likes of Cousin Bill.
Well known and very highly regarded on the Wexford music scene, Mocha has forged a formidable reputation for himself on the Scandinavian music front too.
Like the rest of the world, Sweden has been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and although it has taken a different course of action to most other countries in how its tried to deal with the virus and limit its affect, as Mocha pointed out to this newspaper, ‘it’s all changed forever and lives have been lost’.
‘Living in Sweden in the past couple of “Covid months” has been a little bit different for me,’ he said.
‘While the rest of Europe locked up shop, Sweden decided to take a different direction in its restrictions on the Covid-19 virus,’ he added.
However, he said there are lockdowns to be found in Sweden and they have received mixed reactions from the public.
‘Some have found it controversial and some have found it positive,’ he said.
From a personal perspective, he thinks the lockdowns are necessary, especially in view of the fact there is concern over possible new waves of the virus.
‘I see it myself as a positive move as the info on a second or third wave hitting in winter is very daunting,’ he said.
‘Some people have criticised Sweden for trying a “herd immunity” but the health experts here say that this is not the case,’ he added.
Mocha pointed out that whatever route countries took to fight the virus people have passed away.
‘Unfortunately, even with a different route to combat the virus and albeit it a positive or negative one depending on your stance, things have changed forever and lives have been lost.’
In a subtle strike towards some of the world’s leaders,
Mocha said the decisions being made in Sweden are directed by science.
‘The science community are giving the directions here and not politicians or deranged leaders,’ he said.
‘Swedes have been given the responsibility, both personally and as a community, to adhere to the requests from the science authorities. So far, it seems to be working,’ he added.
In a marked difference to Ireland and most other countries, life in Sweden is going on ‘as normal as possible’.
‘Schools, up to high school, bars, and stores are open,’ said Mocha.
However, those who can work from home are asked to do so and the act of social distancing is a must.
Mocha said people are adhering to it and it is, to an extent, keeping things as normal a possible.
However, there are restrictions in place, such as no more than 50 people being allowed into bars and two-metre social distancing in place in restaurants.
‘Public transport is operating but there are no crowds on board the trams, buses or trains,’ said Mocha.
He also hasn’t escaped the virus and was hit by Covid-19 towards the end of March.
Thankfully, now recovered, he was very sick for about two weeks and said it was like nothing he had experienced before.
However, he is thankful to have recovered safely.
‘I’m on the other side of it now and feeling much better and healthier.’
From a music perspective he has also been lucky and has been able to keep working to some extent.
‘I’ve been lucky enough to find myself a couple of residency gigs and a little bit of photography work here in Gothenburg until all this blows over,’ he said.
However, the music scene in Sweden has taken a severe crash due to the virus and the majority of musicians have found themselves gigless and, as a result, facing uncertainty and unemployment in the coming months.
Mocha said that even without the same restrictions as in place here, venues in Sweden are feeling the pinch financially.
‘Lots of them are closing and some are already looking at bankruptcy and others may possibly never open again,’ he said.
‘This may change not only the music scene in Sweden but in the rest of Europe,’ he added.
‘Venues that were easily accessible and that were a ‘go-to’ for a lot of musicians and bands, will possibly disappear and make touring a lot more difficult in the near future.’
However, he said there are some small positives to be found in the current situation and he commended musicians who are embracing technology and playing ‘gigs’ from home.
‘On a positive note, the amount of musicians that are sat at home and are playing free live gigs via social media is to be commended,’ he said.
‘When this virus finally subsides and things start to roll back to a new ‘normal’, remember the musicians and those that kept you entertained during lockdown,’ he added.
He also encouraged people to support musicians and bands when things settle down.
‘Buy their albums, singles and go to their gigs; they’ll probably need you as much as you’ve needed them these past weeks,’ he said.
‘Stay, safe, healthy and well and take care of each other.’
SWEDES HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE RESPONSIBILITY TO ADHERE TO THE REQUESTS FROM THE SCIENCE AUTHORITIES. SO FAR, IT SEEMS TO BE WORKING