- Anders Tegnell argued that Sweden would not be affected by the large increase in infections. His analyzes showed that only local outbreaks can occur
- Resistance acquired by society in the spring, when Sweden, due to the lack of lockdown, was more severely affected by the coronavirus than other countries, was to help.
- The increasing number of coronavirus infections was to be hampered by stricter recommendations for the public, e.g. avoiding shopping centers or public transport, introduced from October
- The health service is again in a difficult situation. Coronavirus outbreaks are erupting in nursing homes again, the number of deaths from COVID-19 is rising rapidly
- Until now, adored by many Swedes, Tegnell, whose likeness was tattooed on the body by some, more often becomes an anti-hero
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On Friday, 7,000 were recorded in Sweden. 240 coronavirus infections are the largest daily increase since the start of the pandemic. 66 people died from COVID-19 in the last 24 hours. This is one of the highest deaths in several months.
Coronavirus. Society acquired immunity
And even in early autumn, when Europe was already struggling with the second wave of coronavirus, the country’s chief epidemiologist Anders Tegnell argued that Sweden would not be affected by the large increase in infections. His analyzes showed that only local outbreaks can occur. The resistance acquired by society in the spring, when Sweden, due to the lack of lockdown, was more severely affected by the coronavirus than other countries, was to help.
Today, when asked about incorrect forecasts, Tegnell defends himself with the epidemiological situation in the world and explains that in principle, deciding whether we are already dealing with the second wave does not make sense, and the fight against the coronavirus is more important. Ultimately, the creator of the Swedish strategy admitted that he “did not expect such a bad development of the epidemiological situation in Sweden”.
Coronavirus. First stricter recommendations
The increasing number of coronavirus infections was to be hampered by stricter recommendations for the public, for example, to avoid shopping centers or public transport, introduced in subsequent regions from October. The authorities of some of them, such as Blekinge in the south of Sweden, unable to communicate with the Public Health Office, where Tegnell works, announced them on their own initiative.
At the same time, other European countries: France, Spain, Great Britain and Poland introduced strict restrictions. Tegnell believed that the Swedes would follow the recommendations of the authorities and voluntarily stay at home. It didn’t. The media reported on youth-organized events and crowded shopping malls, and voluntary quarantine was practically uncontrolled. Tegnell argued, citing the anonymous data of the mobile operator Telia, that people move less. With each week, however, the number of infections increased two or threefold, surpassing the record numbers from spring.
The health service is again in a difficult situation. Coronavirus outbreaks are erupting in nursing homes again, the number of deaths from COVID-19 is rising rapidly. In the press, there were further appeals by scientists to introduce serious restrictions, and the center-right and right-wing opposition in parliament also called for a change of strategy. The government hesitated, trusting experts from the Public Health Office. In mid-October, the director of this institution, Johan Carlson, was extended his employment contract until the fall of 2021.
Coronavirus. The scale of the pandemic reflects on politicians
At the same time, as the epidemiological situation worsens, confidence in the Social Democratic Prime Minister Stefan Loefven (to 35% of respondents in the Aftonbladet / Demoskop survey) begins to decline again, although in Sweden voters generally perceive politicians and the state power as positive.
The prime minister’s response is to introduce the first serious coronary emergency from November 24, limiting the limit of public gatherings to eight people on pain of a fine or up to two years in prison. Another restriction is the ban on serving alcohol in restaurants after hours. 22. Decisions dubbed “the greatest violation of freedom in modern Swedish history” are announced at a press conference at which the creator of the Swedish strategy is absent. Tegnell, later asked by journalists about the prime minister’s decision, only replied that the government had the right to make it.
Coronavirus. The debate over the masks
Will the government also oppose the Public Health Authority and introduce at least a recommendation to cover the mouth and nose? For now, the prime minister stated that “masks are not banned”. However, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, an institution that awards Nobel prizes in exact sciences, convinces us to use them. In the issued statement, the experts, citing research, wrote that covering the mouth and nose is an effective tool in public communication and in other places where it is difficult to keep distance. Earlier, WHO experts called on Sweden to do the same.
Tegnell is still opposed to the masks, considering them to be ineffective. He believes that this is evidenced by the rapid development of the pandemic in countries where they are mandatory. When asked about the results of studies that prove the effectiveness of masks, he often adds that “in some situations they can be an additional protection”, but at the same time he does not support their mass use.
Coronavirus. Slow end of love for Tegnell
Until now, adored by many Swedes, Tegnell, whose image has been tattooed on the body by some, more often becomes an anti-hero. A meme was written on the Internet, in which the phenomenon of its popularity was called “the second Stockholm syndrome”, that is, a manifestation of the victims’ sympathy for their tormentors. The Public Health Office continues to maintain that despite the introduction of more severe restrictions, the same strategy is still in place, and only “its tools have changed”.
Independent experts could help assess the actions of Tegnell and those in power. In the summer, when the coronavirus contributed to the deaths of many inmates in poorly secured nursing homes due to the lack of social closure, the government agreed to set up a commission to study Sweden’s anti-coronavirus strategy. The first part of the report on nursing home neglect was to be completed by the end of November, but it was reported that the work would be protracted “as so much material was not expected for the analysis”
Coronavirus. Late ignition after no action
According to prof. Jan Albert from the Karolinska Institute, the current situation in Sweden results from insufficient action at the beginning of the epidemic. – Our neighbors (Norway, Finland and partly Denmark) were successful in the spring. It is possible that these activities pay off to this day – believes prof. Albert. Former chief epidemiologist in the country and Tegnell’s predecessor, Annika Linde, said in an interview that Sweden “was not prepared for a second wave of the epidemic.” – The Swedish authorities were acting too slowly. Instead of being proactive, they made decisions when the virus has already spread widely, Linde said.
In Sweden, the average coronavirus infection in the last two weeks is 562 per 100,000. residents. Overall, over 200,000 cases, more than 6.3 thousand died. people.
So far, 7,000 have been infected in nursing homes. 645 people, and 2 thousand died from COVID-19. 843 of them. Among seniors and dependent people using social care at home, these numbers are respectively 5,000. 619 and 1 thous. 574.
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