‘Relaxed’ stance is very serious, say Swedes

PHOTOGRAPHS of Swedes relaxing outside cafes and restaurants – in contrast to the deserted streets of other countries – may have left the impression that the Scandinavian nation is not treating the coronavirus pandemic seriously.

Indeed those images chime with the popular notion that Sweden has adopted an altogether more relaxed attitude, with few restrictions on what people are allowed to do. Far from it, says one of the country’s top scientists.

“We’re not at all relaxed about Covid,” says Prof Agnes Wold, professor of clinical bacteriology at the University of Gothenburg “We are taking it very seriously.”

Indeed she warns that some of the apparently sensible measures taken by other countries – such as shutting schools, bars and restaurants – are unscientific and storing up serious problems for the future.

Sweden, which has a population of 10.3million, has seen more than 21,500 cases and 2,653 deaths from Covid-19 – far higher than its Nordic neighbours, which implemented stricter measures.

However the per capita death toll is lower than in Britain, France and Spain, and the World Health Organisation appears to agree with Sweden’s approach.

The WHO said on Friday that the country was providing a good model to the rest of the world on how to implement social distancing that can be sustained over a long period without risking a sudden, second deadly surge of cases when restrictions are lifted.

Gatherings of over 50 are banned, and people cannot visit care homes for the elderly. But schools, bars, restaurants, shops and even some cinemas remain open. Instead Swedes have been advised to adopt social distancing, rather than ordered on pain of a fine.

“We love being outside whenever we can. But being outside with others is not dangerous if you are more than 1.5 metres away from each other. In fact it’s very good for you,” Prof World said. “The most dangerous thing is to be inside, close to others, because of the way that droplets spread and pass on coronavirus.”

Prof Wold, the author of an ac-claimed book on parenting the Swedish way, is also worried about the long-term impact of shutting schools.

“In general children are more contagious than adults, who are fully or partially immune to things like measles and flu. That’s not the case with coronavirus. Children are not more contagious, so there is no reason to shut schools,” she said. “Closing schools is disastrous for wider society, and it’s bad for the children.”

Prof Wold also disputed the notion that Sweden had deliberately set out to create “herd immunity”. “It’s never been the policy. Like every other country, the strategy has been to protect hospitals from being overwhelmed and to protect the elderly and most vulnerable,” she said. “The difference is in the means Sweden has used to achieve this.”

Dr Mike Ryan, executive director of the WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme, said: “Sweden represents a future model if we want to return to a society that we do not have to close.”

But there has also been debate within the country with more than 1,500 doctors and scientists last month calling for a tougher approach.