#NoLockDown #LifeAsUsual #Sweden #Coronavirus Lockdown has become the key weapon by most countries across the world including Europe battle the Coronavirus pandemic. Until this report was filed there were 723,279 Coronavirus cases and 33,993 deaths. The top 10 worst affected countries are
• USA 142,735
• Italy 97,689
• China 81,470
• Spain 80,110
• Germany 62,435
• France 40,174
• Iran 38,309
• UK 19,522
• Switzerland 14,829
• Netherlands 10,866
Evidently most of Europe has been under lockdown barring one country that is stands apart from the world’s way in the face of the coronavirus outbreak – Sweden. And its not like the pandemic has not hit this Scandinavian nation. Sweden, a nation of 10 million, has are approximately 3700 confirmed cases in the country with 110 death. Yet citizens are allowed to leave homes, sit at cafes, schools aren’t closed until higher secondary. Elsewhere in the city, nightclubs have been open this week, but gatherings for more than 50 people are banned.
“KIDS WILL DEVELOP IMMUNE AGAINST CORONAVIRUS ON THEIR OWN”
According to those living in Sweden, the countries policy makers are firm on belief that kids must be encouraged to go to school and out of home as they will build natural immunity against Coronavirus. Hence, its only for higher secondary and universities, that the decision for shut down has been announced. Sweden's Current Chief Epidemiologist, Anders Tegnell, argued that even if the country's comparatively permissive policies are an anomaly, they are more sustainable and effective in protecting the public's health than "drastic" moves like closing schools for four or five months.
STREETS OF STOCKHOLM ARE SILENT BUT NOT DESERTED
The capital of Sweden that many believe should have gone under complete lockdown has become silent yet there is movement of people on streets everyday. From cafes to flower vendors, cake shops, youth hanging in groups and working class seen walking to offices – its business – less than usual but still going on. Stockholm's public transport company SL says it saw passenger numbers fall by 50% on subway and commuter trains last week.
GOVERNMENT TRUSTS CITIZENS WILL FOLLOW SOCIAL DISTANCE WITHOUT IMPOSING DRACONIAN RULES
Swedish authorities have advised the public to practice social distancing and to work from home, if possible, and urged those over age 70 to self-isolate as a precaution. For now, the Swedish government maintains that citizens can be trusted to exercise responsibility for the greater good and will stay home if they experience any COVID-19 symptoms. Many Swedes are indeed keeping the recommended distance from others.
“POLLS ALSO SUGGEST ALMOST HALF OF STOCKHOLMERS ARE REMOTE WORKING”
Without being imposed rules, companies and employees have started work from home. Courtesy tech-savvy workforce and a business culture that has long promoted flexible and remote working practices. The business community here really thinks that the Swedish government and the Swedish approach is more sensible than in many other countries.
DEMOGRAPHY ALLOWS SWEDEN TO REMAIN LOCKDOWN FREE FOR NOW
Demography may also be a relevant factor in the country's approach. In contrast to the multi-generational homes in Mediterranean countries, more than half of Swedish households are made up of one person, which cuts the risk of the virus spreading within families. Chief Epidemiologist, Anders Tegnell has said, "The goal is to slow down the amount of new people getting infected so that health care gets a reasonable chance to take care of them. And that's what we all do in every country in Europe. We just choose different methods to do it."
It remains unclear how long Sweden's exceptional state will last. Even as Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, warning of "many tough weeks and months ahead. For now Sweden is drawing global attention with an unorthodox approach. But as Swedes watch the rest of Europe grind to a halt, history will judge if Sweden got it all right or disastrously wrong. Zeba Warsia – NMTV News.
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