Why did Sweden decide to act differently?

[tontie]

Sweden is an outlier, any ideas as why they decided to do things differently? protect the economy or because they think this is the best long term strategy?

I agree, as I said I saw just staring what happened. It doesn;t mean i thought it was right.

There are people on here who are quick to think people stating a fact means they agree and it is their opinion.

Does it not seem that someone stating 'they gave them some leaflets' demonstrates how that situation was being dealt with?

Excuse typos

It seems overall that the ethnic minorities and the elderly in care homes seem to be suffering the most as a result of the Swedish policy if you want my opinion on it. In the figures I mean.

There are people on here who are quick to think people stating a fact means they agree and it is their opinion.

Totally, this is why I have had to step away from a number of corona threads. Playing devils advocate or stated a fact often gets confused with opinions or wanting something to happen. Very divisive & no debate.

This is a nice balanced thread with debate.

Well, it was!

I have had to step away from a number of corona threads. Playing devils advocate or stated a fact often gets confused with opinions or wanting something to happen. Very divisive & no debate

Yes, I understand, it is a shame. Think I might do the same.

@Orangeblossom78 your post didn't make it clear you thought it was a crap policy, and another one designed to shift the blame of this mess to groups of people who aren't in the position to help themselves in the same ways the rich, ruling elite can.

The number of deaths in Sweden is at least 3 times higher than other countries with similar numbers of cases. Either they are sacrificing the vulnerable in large numbers for the sake of the economy or they have at 3 times as many cases as they're saying.

Anger in Sweden as elderly pay price for coronavirus strategy

www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/19/anger-in-sweden-as-elderly-pay-price-for-coronavirus-strategy?

Sweden compared with neighbouring countries.

The alternative to doing nothing is certainly not to stay like this for 2 years. "This" is letting the population catch it bit by bit so we dont overwhelm the NHS, whilst buying time to research - for treatment, for outcomes, for a vacccine.

What's the alternative?

Well, the alternative is to do nothing, let everyone catch it at once and overwhelm the NHS, thus causing many unnecessary deaths as people who could have been saved by a working NHS would die if they can't get medical care.

The crux of the matter is - how good is your health service, and what do you need to do to keep the number of people who need to use it at a level which you can manage?

The alternative is to start doing testing and contact chasing like Australia, Germany and other countries.

It's far too early to judge Sweden. Obviously there policy will have more early covid deaths. Will it have fewer later covid deaths? Fewer non covid deaths? Less harm in other ways -qol, economic, mental health etc.

The best policy will be determined after taking all of that into account.

I would love to see Sweden succeed and achieve herd immunity because it then gives other countries like us an easy route to follow. I have no idea how likely this is but their success would be fantastic for everyone. I don't understand the bitterness towards the Swedes, it is almost as if because other countries have suffered lockdowns and suffering that the only acceptable route out of this must involve further hardship and suffering.

There is an article in the Telegraph today showing that their covid hospital admissions have dropped hugely from the peak and are now very low so the indications are good.

www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/sweden/articles/sweden-coronavirus-policy/

Unfortunately we are all in this at virtually the same time, give or take a couple of weeks, so even if Sweden do acquire the fabled herd immunity, it will too late for us to do much to copy.

I think Sweden may be less different to other countries than we believe.

They are putting restrictions in place, but less severe ones. Swedes are perhaps naturally more socially distanced due to the large number of people living alone, the lack of multi generational houses and the automized, digitized nature of services and lifestyles. Their summer vacation starts in early June and goes on for a long time, so they do not have long to go before the schools shut anyway.

Older people are perhaps easier to cocoon than in other countries---the highly digitized nature of services (online everything, automatic scanners, near universal use of cashless payment) suggests that older Swedes are more used to technology than in other countries and can perhaps be coaxed to hole up for a few months, order things online and Skype their friends.

The economy in Sweden is also suffering severe strain as people voluntarily social distance (staying away from restaurants and bars etc), meaning that the economic "benefits" of the Swedish approach may also be a lot less dramatic than some have imagined.

There are definitely a lot more deaths. On the other hand, Swedes may be making the calculation that it's better to allow more infections now rather than have a winter peak in several months time. A lot of this depends on how quickly a vaccine can be made available. If a vaccine is developed early, Sweden's strategy will not look wise in hindsight.

Isn't Sweden facing intense criticism about the death rates in care homes?

Well to be fair countries on lockdown such as here are also (care homes) it is very difficult when older more vulnerable people are living in groups with carers coming in. I understand some carers are living in caravans on site here to minimise the risk but it doesn't seem to be a problem solved by a lockdown

No but Sweden did make a big thing of saying their policies were targeted to protecting the elderly which may not have achieved that aim

The economy in Sweden is also suffering severe strain as people voluntarily social distance (staying away from restaurants and bars etc), meaning that the economic "benefits" of the Swedish approach may also be a lot less dramatic than some have imagined.

Indeed, there’s this misconception amongst some that Sweden is operating pretty much as normal, and happily working its way to this fabled “herd immunity” without very much loss, all because “the elderly” have chosen to stay inside. Sweden’s economy, like other countries, is being hammered. The only difference is that restrictions don’t have the full force of the law. They are still socially distancing, just not in as extreme or in an enforced manner.

Sweden's approach to all of this would make me go back fully on all my thoughts that Sweden was this idyllic place to live. Whatever the thoughts on herd immunity, waves etc, as they see their deaths rise they still refuse to consider changing their stance. If someone you know dies in a country where they did everything they could at least say the govt weren't to blame. Scary times when the government you have counts for so much!

Who on earth would want these positions having to make decisions re lives with the added pressure of trial by media 🤯

Don't forget trial by Mumsnet as well as there's loads in here who seem to know exactly what should be done

Don't forget trial by Mumsnet as well as there's loads in here who seem to know exactly what should be done

They even knew more than the WHO!!

I’m hesitant to mention it because I read the article in the Daily Fail but apparently their chief scientific adviser is suggesting that Stockholm may have herd immunity by as early as next month according to their modelling. They are also planning on ramping up testing significantly.

It will be very interesting to see what happens over the next few weeks and months.