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Since the start of the pandemic, many experts in Denmark have been appalled by Sweden’s liberal approach to infection control restrictions.
But now several experts in the country themselves are advocating a more relaxed approach to the virus.
– Corona is no longer dangerous, says Niels Høiby, Danish chief physician and professor of clinical microbiology, to Berlingske.
The infection is rising again in Europe and country after country is now reintroducing restrictions. In Spain, several regions have imposed restrictions on nightclubs and bars just a few weeks after being lifted. In the Netherlands, the recommendation to work from home has returned.
Men i Denmark, which in the past year has been characterized by strict infection control measures and lockdowns, has changed feet.
Danish newspaper Berlingske has spoken to several experts in the country who do not want to see new corona rules, despite increased spread of infection.
Niels Høiby, chief physician and professor of clinical microbiology at the Panum Institute and Rigshospitalet, believes that it is okay to spread the infection as long as people do not become seriously ill or die.
– Covid is no longer dangerous. There is only a need for restrictions where local outbreaks occur, and not in general for the population nationally. All people who are vulnerable, including health and medical staff, have been vaccinated, says Niels Høiby.
—-Niels Høiby, Danish chief physician and professor of clinical microbiology.
–Photo: Søren Svendsen–
“Not so worried about delta”
Søren Riis Paludan, professor at the Faculty of Biomedicine at Aarhus University, tells Berlingske that people must now learn to live with the infection.
– The virus will not disappear, and we will have small outbreaks in the next ten years. We can not continue to have this limited lifestyle, where we close schools because we try to keep the degree of infection completely down, Paludan says to Berlingske.
Until the first of September, the restrictions in Denmark will be eased, writes Danish Ekstrabladet. Among other things, the requirement for mouth protection in public transport will cease and restrictions on nightlife will be lifted.
But according to the experts that Berlingske has spoken to, it is justifiable to ease the restrictions already in July.
Nor is the progress of the delta variant something that should slow down the opening of society, according to Niels Høiby.
– I’m not so worried about the delta variant. The important thing is that the vaccine protects against serious illness.
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