Sweden

Allow people to make decisions based on a clear explanation of risk while enhancing shielding of the truly vulnerable.

Prior to legal lockdown there was a high uptake of voluntary action to reduce contact. City centres were extremely quiet and public transport use was sparse. People were being responsible but we’re permitted to exercise choice and support and enjoy businesses which were acting sensibly ie the Swedish approach. That country has seen better health outcomes than here while giving the economy a chance.

Why the contribution is important

People and businesses are given informed choices including to keep the economy alive while reducing contact and the R rate. This is more sustainable in the medium and longer term than strict lockdown both socially and economically.

by KSM on May 05, 2020 at 10:51PM

Current Rating

Average rating: 4.1
Based on: 28 votes

Comments

  • Posted by AllanPettie May 05, 2020 at 23:20

    Sweden's statistics are open to question, as time goes on; yes. learn from other countries' if and only if the evidence stands up to examination.
  • Posted by Lyzzy33 May 05, 2020 at 23:58

    I agree with KSM's comments and we should have been given options rather than forced into lockdown.
  • Posted by OldDeuteronomy May 06, 2020 at 01:29

    @KSM... well said! We are all adults so yes, let us apply our own decisions based on personal risk factors and let's see the UK return to work, economic success, and mental and physical well-being.
  • Posted by lmjdear May 06, 2020 at 07:26

    agree...the government has done a shocking job of scaring people into thinking they are incapable of making informed adult decisions on risk. to the point some folks now think they cant leave the house til its 100% safe. nothing is 100% safe. drop the lockdown and let us live sensibly as this is going to be a long haul. currently we are existing not living.
  • Posted by ErnestWastell May 06, 2020 at 07:28

    Compare Sweden’s approach to the three countries with which it has land borders- Denmark(the bridge), Norway and Finland. All three went into immediate lockdown and all three have vastly superior results to date. Food for thought.
  • Posted by Bethan May 06, 2020 at 07:59

    Yes and I think now,having been in lockdown for weeks,the public has a good grasp of the gravity of the situation,and there would likely be a high level of compliance.
  • Posted by Mopsy May 06, 2020 at 08:06

    Sweden is much smaller than uk and has a very different political system. Local govt is more important with much fewer people in each area. People feel part of political society rather than something which is done to them. This makes it much easier to apply social distancing rules etc . Maybe something to strive for.....
  • Posted by YMCA May 06, 2020 at 08:13

    Yip most people were distancing beforehand. Most of us a responsible adults. The impact to the economy and people’s mental health needs to be considered.
  • Posted by YMCA May 06, 2020 at 08:17

    Yip most people were distancing beforehand. Most of us a responsible adults. The impact to the economy and people’s mental health needs to be considered.
  • Posted by JensenSL May 06, 2020 at 08:41

    This works when there is mutual respect between the population and their government, and a trust that each is working for the greater good, not individual interest; there is greater potential for that trust to work in Scotland than in England.
  • Posted by Alasdrum May 06, 2020 at 10:11

    Despite still having no serious lockdown Sweden has a lower Covid-19 death rate per head of population than Italy, France, Belgium and the U.K. At the end of this they will still have jobs too...
  • Posted by DevVeh May 06, 2020 at 11:49

    We have a lot of companies who have disruption cover. If they are forced to be closed they will have a payout from their insurance which will keep them alive until things return to some sort of normality. By saying they can be open and then recommending that nobody should go to these places we are making it so they no longer get the insurance cover but also now have no customers as people have been told not to visit.

    This will kill a lot of industries and put jobs at risk. If we have places open we need to be able recommending using them to at least a point that they will breakeven. Is that possible right now?
  • Posted by firehorse May 08, 2020 at 22:50

    I disagree with this statement, Scandinavian countries have a different set of cultural norms, when it comes to there society. If I remember correctly they had the worst week for deaths in over a century last month. They also have a 32% tax rate, as adults do we adopt that as well?
  • Posted by Zaffarella May 11, 2020 at 17:29

    I fully appreciate there are difficult choices, however, social distancing continued much longer will ultimately kill more people than Covid 19 and certainly kill society. Government must be greatest good for greatest number.
    Now that lockdown has gained the time to put capacity in place the “stay safe” narrative will need to change to reflect;
    Fatal for less than 1%
    Vast majority (over 80%) asymptomatic or mild; relatively few have required hospitalisation.
    Current strain is fairly narrow in its target.
    People die; in Scotland 4,700 people, on average, each month every year (average 2001-2019 per NRS). There were 1,559 Covid deaths in Scotland as at 2 May. Many of those dying with Covid 19 on the death certificate (but not necessarily a contributory factor) would have died in any event this year.
    May never be vaccine; it would wrong and very costly to society at large to wait for one – accordingly we must manage this.
    Covid 19 now endemic and should be dealt with like any other perennial virus.
    Going forward Covid 19 can be managed by creating capacity (Infectious diseases hospitals?). Unfortunately, those in care homes are amongst the most susceptible to the virus, some form of gateway regime or system for entrance to care homes will be required.
    Fitness (substantially issues caused by obesity) makes a massive difference to outcome; this is an opportunity to reinforce that being fit will save lives and the NHS
    I am glad to see that the Swedish approach has now been commended by the WHO as an exemplar for moving forward. Although it has controls, it has allowed more social interaction. This approach will certainly have reduced any “future wave”. As at 11 May, the UK (with a population 6.56 times that of Sweden) has had 31,855 deaths. Sweden has recorded 3,225 deaths. That is 66.4% of the UK total. The Swedish approach has to be considered, as it is less damaging to society and the economy at large.
Log in or register to add comments and rate ideas

Idea topics