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STOCKHOLM, Sweden – Once Sweden found cheerleaders among conservative commentators and activists in the United States for its lighthearted approach to the coronavirus pandemic.
But as the number of deaths and infections rises, the Swedish government has been forced to introduce much stricter regulations to prevent the virus from spreading.
From Tuesday, the number of people who can gather in public will be reduced from 50 to eight. Only eight guests per table will be allowed in the restaurants.
Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven issued a stern warning on Sunday evening explaining the new rules.
“Tonight, at the end of November 2020, it is clear that it will be some time before we can get back to normal,” he told the nation in a televised speech. “Many neglected advice during the fall.”
“All the things you would like to do but don’t need: cancel, postpone,” he added.
Dr Karin Tegmark Wisell, chief medical officer in the microbiology department of the Swedish Public Health Agency, welcomed the new rules, which the government unilaterally issued.
“Large gatherings are at risk of infection,” she said on Friday, adding that limiting them was “a positive thing.”
She said people were tired of following the initial recommendations, “so we had to take tougher measures.”
The central government this month recommended that regional governments shut down public gatherings such as concerts, theatrical performances and conferences.
He also banned the serving of alcohol after 10 p.m. Special local recommendations, including avoiding public transport and shopping, are also in place in much of the country.
Unlike many other European countries, including its Scandinavian neighbors, where strict rules and lockdowns were introduced, Sweden had previously relied on recommendations that people wash their hands, move away socially and work. home.
But the number of cases started to increase dramatically at the end of last month, a trend that continued into November. Nearly 6,406 people have died from the virus, and nearly 208,295 cases have been recorded, according to John Hopkins University. As a result, the government was forced to act.
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“It is very frustrating and disturbing to hear about the increasing number of sick and deceased people,” said Mats Jerresten, 75, adding that the new rules would make little difference for him as he is limiting his time in public. since March.
However, he says, he will have to wait even longer to see his 12 grandchildren.
For Pady Cortinez, communications project manager, the new measures command “both fear and respect”.
“You’re just trying to adjust to the situation,” said Cortinez, 48, adding that she had stopped going out to bars and “wasn’t cuddling”.
As the number grows, medical institutions, like the Karolinska University Hospital in the Swedish capital, Stockholm, must also prepare.
CEO Dr Björn Zoëga said on Thursday that elective surgery and other procedures had been canceled but that other acute operations for cancer or heart patients would continue.
His colleague Dr Björn Persson, responsible for intensive care and thoracic surgery, added that the hospital had increased its capacity in the event of a peak in patients but that it was not full.
Sweden “was not prepared like other societies” for the rapid spread of the disease this year, Zoëga said.
“It happened quickly,” he said, adding that most of the government’s decisions “have been pretty good.”
His opinion was not shared by Dr Cecilia Söderberg-Nauclér, doctor and professor at the Karolinska Institute, who said last week that health authorities had “given up” very early.
“They saw that the virus was entering Sweden. We didn’t have testing capacity, so we couldn’t do testing and contact tracing, and they didn’t update it. So they quit. “she said.
“There were a lot of things we said they should do but no, and it just took off,” she said, adding that she did not agree with the government’s claim. that he was listening to scientists.
Long-term Covid-19 patients remained of concern as they were not being properly monitored, which meant it was difficult to learn the best way to treat and rehabilitate them, she said.
These patients “were basically at unacceptable risk in the spring” and were not being treated properly now, she said.
Calling the situation “worrying”, she said, “We don’t know how they are going to recover because we don’t know enough about this disease right now.”
However, all hoped that a vaccine would be available soon. But Persson warned there had to be a balance “between rushing the vaccine and safety.”
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