Swedish dream

Unlike most countries in Europe, Sweden with the beginning of the Pandemia of Coronavirus did not introduce hard quarantine, limiting her relatively soft recommendations for the country's residents. Now some look at the "Swedish model" with admiration and envy, while others talk about "the elderly sacrifice to the young."

On April 21, the Swedish public health agency issued a forecast according to which a third of Stockholm residents by May 1 will be infected with coronavirus. The report, predicting the infection of almost 600 thousand people only in the Swedish capital, was withdrawn in less than a day-according to the official version, due to the error of the authors in the calculations. These calculations are based on mathematical modeling, and the official figures of the identified carriers of the virus are really far from them: on May 4, only 8,500 cases of infection were revealed in Stockholm, and the figures of the infected and dead throughout the country stabilized and demonstrate the tendency to reduce. If you believe the data of the research center at the University of New Zealand Auckland, the R0 reproduction index, which determines how many people infects one infected on average, sank in Sweden below the unit back in mid -April, about 40 days after the hundredth recorded carrier of the new coronavirus. The same indicators are recorded in neighboring Denmark, with which Sweden is most often compared. According to other sources , the R0 index in Sweden still slightly exceeds 1 after it fell from the 2.3 mark following the abolition of mass events.

The epidemic developed in Sweden and Denmark almost synchronously, so the disputes about the effectiveness and humanity of the “Swedish model” of the coexistence with a deadly infection do not subside: after all, despite this synchronism, the number of people who died from the COVID-19 in terms of 1 million inhabitants here is still one of the highest in the world and much higher than that of neighbors-not only Dangearians, but also Norwegers and also Norwegers and also Norwegers and also Norwegers and also Norwegers and also Norwegers and Norwegians and Norwegians and Norwegians and Norwegians and Norwegians and Norwegen Finns. According to this indicator (265 dead for a million people), Sweden is adjacent to the Netherlands, which at the beginning of the pandemic also did not introduce strict restrictive measures, and enters the top ten countries of the world, ahead of, for example, the USA, Germany, Austria and Iran. For example, in Denmark, only 85 people die from every million inhabitants of the country from Covid-19.

A unique photo for Europe: an impromptu memorial to the deceased from the Covid-19 in the center of Stockholm, where their relatives bring flowers. In Italy or Spain, there was simply no one to create such a place of memory due to the strict regime of self-isolation

In total, almost 23 thousand caronavirus carriers were identified in the country, more than 2,700 people died. By the number of tests per million inhabitants of Sweden, far from the leader in this part of the world, which partly explains the high ratio of identified cases and deaths, which is sometimes reminiscent of opponents of the “Swedish model”. In Denmark, which quickly introduced rather rigid quarantine, the number of those who infuriated half are half, but the country's population is approximately twice as much as Swedish (5.8 million people against 10.2 million in Sweden). But the dead in Denmark is already less than 5 times.

Despite this, within Sweden, most citizens support the “soft quarantine” based on the consciousness of citizens, which allowed not to close cafes, restaurants and many other enterprises of service areas that suffered from the fight against coronavirus in other countries. The approval ratings of Prime Minister Stefan Lyoven and his governments have grown, the opposition, which criticized Leven in the winter, now supports him, and in the working group of parliament to develop anti-crisis measures participate in all 8 parliamentary parties.

Stockholm, pedestrian street in the Old City, April 29

All this does not mean that critics of the "Swedish model" fell silent - both in the country itself and beyond. One of their most noticeable performances was an open letter of 22 Swedish doctors, scientists and researchers, who on April 14 demanded more stringent measures to combat the spread of coronavirus, referring to high mortality among older people, especially in nursing homes. The authors of this letter, in turn, were criticized for using an extremely narrow statistical sample for too short. One way or another, the explosive growth of the sick and the dead in this letter has not yet become an explosive growth.

Anders Tegnell , the chief epidemiologist of Sweden, which, according to Swedish laws, is obliged to obey the government, repeatedly admitted that one of the errors of response to the pandemic was a delay with measures aimed at protecting the elderly, primarily in the elderly houses, and this led at some point to the splash of new infections and infections. Later, the authorities tried to solve this problem, among other things, banning on April 7 to visit guests in such institutions. “The Swedish authorities admit that the nursing houses have become a problem, and the discussion is actively conducted within the country,” says Radio Liberty, a resident of Stockholm, doctor of sciences, teacher of the department of the University of Swedish Yyncheping Ekaterina Kalinina . “Unfortunately, we missed those important for several weeks when the disease began to be actively spreading and did not plant the Houses of the elder The quarantine, you need to understand that the people who live in these houses are not only visited by their relatives, but they themselves lead a rather active social life: they go to concerts, go to shops themselves, and so they spread.

Sculptures in protective masks near the central library of Stockholm

The Sweden government does not leave attempts to slow down the spread of the virus in the emigrant regions of Stockholm, inhabited mainly by immigrants from African countries and the Middle East. These areas have become foci of infection due to the larger population density, ignorance by many residents of the Swedish language and follow national traditions, which make almost impossible self-isolation within large families. The government recognized the problem, promising to improve the informing of residents in their native languages, and in some areas people are even provided with inexpensive or free short -term renting small apartments so that they can live separately from numerous relatives.

One way or another, Tegnell became one of the most popular Swedish officials during the pandemic: his portraits are printed on t -shirts and even stuffed in the form of tattoos.

Believe it or not, this man tattooos Portrait of Sweden's Chief Epidemiologist, Anders Tegnell, Who Has Resisted Pressure to Recommend a Total Lockdown in #Sweden . #Covid19 https://t.co/hmgi4ru85b

- Saleem JaveD (@msaleemJaved) April 27, 2020

What is the "Swedish model" in practice? “I can’t say that life remained exactly the same as the crown, there were a lot of changes, but in terms of everyday life, everything is quite comfortable for us: all shops, kindergartens, primary and secondary schools work, all institutions, sports institutions work. You can play sports, visit sections, libraries. On the other hand, the city center, especially in bad weather, is very empty, many people themselves have imposed restrictions on themselves. And they self -speaking, ”said Radio Liberty another resident of the Swedish capital, doctor of philosophy of Stockholm University Suderman Irina Seitz .

This is not to say that the authorities completely allowed the situation with the spread of coronavirus to a gear. At the end of March, more than 50 people were banned in Sweden in Sweden, which entailed the automatic closure of most museums, theaters and cinemas, the abolition of concerts and sports events. Most companies, gymnasiums and universities transferred their employees to remote operating mode. People from the risk group, those who are more than 70 years old, actively help social services during self -isolation.

However, the statement from the truth will be far from the truth that the Swedes perfectly observe a few quarantine prohibitions. So, last week, the authorities temporarily closed five restaurants in Stockholm, which did not observe the recommended distance of 1.5 meters between tables and visitors. The first warm and sunny spring days, which are so rare in these northern parts, played their role. The local press also anxiously writes about thousands of people who flooded hypermarkets and large stores, such as the famous IKEA worldwide on the weekend.

Street market in the Swedish city of Malmo, April 25, 2020

“This is another argument of the opponents of the Swedish model within the country,” says Ekaterina Kalinina. “Unfortunately, not all, only about 70% of people carry out prescribed recommendations. For example, people sit in a cafe and shift the tables to sit with one company. Supporters of more hard quarantine requires to introduce serious fines for violators, which are now not provided for at all.”

Nevertheless, in the mass of their Swedes, they distance themselves quite diligently, sometimes even more diligently than the authorities recommend. “My children go to an international school in Stockholm, a daughter in the 4th grade, and the son in the 7th,” says Irina Seitz. “About 40 percent of children went to school, the rest of the parents chose to leave the at home. The teachers tried to organize online learning, half classes in classes, but after the holidays they should finish with this, and now they should go to school. Sweden, primary and secondary schools are mandatory , but more recently, the schools went to meet parents who are afraid to let the children go into classes, and now about a third of the parents are still not daring to send children there.

The metro in the city is absolutely empty, very few people use it, ads hang everywhere: "Use public transport only if you really need it." In the bulk, the Swedes support the policy of mutual trust in the authorities and the population. The government says: you are smart people, you yourself know what is better for you, you can reduce physical contacts for your good. ”

Stockholm, April 29, Billboard, calling people to observe a distance from each other

According to one of the common versions, with the help of a liberal approach to the pandemic, Sweden is trying to achieve “collective immunity” as soon as possible and make the maximum number of young and healthy people become infected with coronavirus as soon as possible, protecting less protected layers of society in the future. Anders Tegnell categorically denies this, saying that “collective immunity” can only be a side effect of the “Swedish model”. The main thing, according to him, is to develop a strategy that will allow the country to exist more or less normally for a long time, since few expect that coronavirus will simply take and disappear from the face of the earth. According to Sweden, based on randomized tests of the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs of Sweden, up to 75 unbearable in the country in the country may account for each confirmed case of infection of the COVID-19. Even in this case, before the acquisition of "collective immunity", which at the beginning of the pandemic spoke the authorities of the UK, the Netherlands and some other countries, will pass for several years, especially while maintaining the current low level of the virus reproduction index.

In the last days, the popularity of the “Swedish model” was added to the statement of Dr. Mike Ryan , an expert on WHO in Sweden, in Sweden. On May 1, Ryan said that the “Swedish model” could be an example for the whole world in terms of life after the removal of strict quarantine restrictions. "Probably, many had the impression that Sweden did not take opposition measures and allowed the epidemic to spread freely. There is nothing more distant from the truth," Ryan told reporters.

Cleaning and disinfecting the Platform of the Central Stock Stock Stockholm, March 21, 2020

Another circumstance that speaks in favor of the policy of the Swedish authorities is a health system that worked normally even at the peak of incidence. “The collapse of the healthcare system did not happen,” says Irina Seits. “Several field hospitals were built next to the largest cities of Sweden, they are empty. There is no shortage of IVL devices, planned operations are not canceled. On the contrary, people are not afraid to contact doctors if they feel bad, not only in the presence of symptoms of coronavirus, but in order not to miss some others because of this Serious diseases, and medical care to such people are provided. " On April 9, the Swedish edition of AFTONBLADET reported the documents received by the editorial office from the hospital of the University of Carolina. It followed that the priority in intensive care, in the case of a shortcut deficiency, will be given to patients under 80 years of age or patients under 60 years of age, if their "competitors" have a number of chronic diseases. This publication made a lot of noise, but the matter did not come to the implementation of recommendations in practice-because of the stable and even reducing number of hospitalizations to the country's hospitals with a diagnosis of Covid-19. "Now in all of Sweden in a serious or critical condition there are a little more than 500 patients with coronavirus. This is a very small figure for such a country as Sweden," says Irina Seitz. According to the Swedish register of intensive care units, an organization founded by the National Council on Health and Social Support issues, 517 patients are now in such departments. This number remains stable with small fluctuations since April 13.

On the contrary, “ordinary” doctors are worried: the Association of Sweden dentists, for example, warns that postponing tooth treatment can lead to particularly poor consequences in the elderly, including the development of infectious diseases.

The construction of the field hospital for patients COVID-19 at the Stockholm Exhibition Center, March 30, 2020

Despite all the softness of restrictive measures in Sweden, they save more from serious problems only part of small and medium-sized businesses than truly large companies-such as the SAS national air carrier, which, due to the reduction of flights, is forced to dismiss thousands of employees. According to experts, the Swedish economy, despite the "Swedish model", will fall by at least 7%this year. Among the victims there will be small companies, primarily those whose activities are related to tourism. One of these companies is owned by Irina Seitz’s husband: “Hotels, restaurants, travel companies can receive a delay in paying taxes for up to six months. It is also possible for small enterprises to get a deferment on loans. Mortgage holidays are provided, relief in repayment of private loans. Many entrepreneurs, nevertheless, are also asking for delaying rental payments. There are further promises from the state. The case has not been advanced, and many hotels and restaurants are forced to close due to the impossibility of paying a rental package, but it really does not work in our husband’s family, and we have not yet received real support.

"I assure you, we are open!" - Advertising board near the bar in the center of Stockholm, March 27, 2020

How wide support does the Swedish model use inside the Swedish society itself? According to Catherine Kalinina, the level of this support is approximately 60–70%: “Of course, if the situation with the coronavirus changes, these numbers will change. For now, over the past three months, the electoral support of the Government of Social Democrats has increased by 7%. Statistics in neighboring countries are really better than in Sweden, but the main argument of the government is still early to judge who wins and who wins and who wins and whoever loses. "

Ekaterina Kalinina has been living in Sweden for 13 years, but now he has been in St. Petersburg: she came here before the closure of the borders of Russia (the Swedish borders are formally open to this day) and now actually turned out to be locked up. “It seems to me that when talking about a dispute between supporters and opponents of the“ Swedish model ”, it is worth digging deeper in the history of Sweden,” says Kalinina. “Sweden is a country with a long history of freedom of speech and freedom of print, it has been abolished here in 1766. For 250 years, the Swakes are accustomed to living with media about the state of affairs and constant monitoring This is the real “third power”, without any reservation, for this reason, the Swedes very much believe in the media, but not less trust in their government.

The appeal of the Prime Minister of Sweden Stefan Leven to the nation in connection with the Pandemia of Koronavirus, March 22, 2020

Among the critics of the “Swedish model” are the voices of those who sees in it long -term and not the best for the country the political consequences - for example, the growth of the popularity of right -wing parties and movements , which, however, is characteristic of many pandemia of the coronavirus of countries. Irina Seitz prefers to talk about the “sense of confidence”: “Confidence in the correctness of the chosen strategy is growing now with the majority of the Swedes. In early April, criticism from the whole world was very strongly felt, it was everywhere, they said that we are here like experimental guns, that we have experiences, that our state spits on us and prefers the salvation of the economy to human life. Now, now, in time, it is turned out to The whole way turned out to be right and more pleased that we have not in the neighbors, that we have no more freely and scientifically sound arguments, why we need to introduce a hard location here or preserve it in other countries. ”

While the Swedes and the rest of the world are carefully monitoring whether the situation with coronavirus in this country will change to the worst, the authorities still decided to remind the citizens that they will not rely completely and completely for their good will. On the night of May 1, the famous Walpurgis Night, the city hall of a large university city Lund alienated the land abundantly at the Central City Park in a chicken margin in order to stop the accumulation of people who celebrated the offensive of people with an unpleasant odor and at the same time fake the ground well.