Swedens foreign minister says theres been a “misunderstanding” in the United States about her countrys Covid-19 policies — which have been distinctly more liberal than the strict lockdowns instituted across much of the rest of Europe and North America.
Ann Linde told POLITICO that Sweden is not a libertarian nirvana: the government has moved to limit online gambling in recent days, is closing restaurants that break social distancing rules, and has forbidden family visits to nursing homes.
But, added Linde, “this is a marathon not a sprint” and policy “needs to be on a level thats acceptable to the people.”
Swedens public health agency believes “Its good for people to be outdoors, to have walks” she said. “If youre locked inside theres risk of depression, domestic violence, alcohol abuse” Linde continued, echoing a point President Donald Trump has often made.
Swedens relatively lax approach to controlling the coronavirus pandemic — keeping restaurants, other businesses and most schools open — has made the country a symbol for far-right activists in the United States and Europe as they push to ease domestic restrictions in their own countries.
Linde believes Sweden can afford to have looser rules because the government enjoys “high levels of trust.”
But Linde brushed off that support in remarks to POLITICO Wednesday, her first public comments in Washington since the coronavirus crisis began shuttering the globe last month.
Linde said she clarified the countrys approach during a virtual meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, as well.
The endorsement of far-right groups, “doesnt mean much”, she said, because Sweden is managing the pandemic “according to our tradition” and wont change strategy because of outside voices.
And she noted that inside Sweden, its not just the far-right Sweden Democrats who are supporting the governments approach: all eight parties represented in the Swedish Parliament are in agreement.
Linde believes Sweden can afford to have looser rules because the government enjoys “high levels of trust.”
“Government advice is not some tip that you follow if you want, its seen as something that you should follow,” she explained. By way of example, Linde pointed out that although internal travel in Sweden is not banned, there was a 96 percent decrease in travel to the popular vacation island of Gotland over the Easter weekend holiday.
Critics of Swedens approach, however, note that the country has a much higher Covid-19 death rate than its Scandinavian neighbors, including 11 times the number of deaths as neighboring Norway, with only twice the population. Linde, however, told POLITICO, “Its not much use comparing” the two countries, because so many factors determine how a virus spreads, and different countries use different measures for classifying Covid-19 deaths.
Linde did express concern for Swedens failure to keep the coronavirus out of nursing homes, one of the few settings where the country has implemented strict social distancing rules, including forbidding family visits. “There are far too many deaths in the nursing homes,” Linde conceded. “We dont know why.”
The Swedish government recently set a $500-a-week limit for individuals playing online casino and slot machines. And Linde highlighted five restaurants that were also closed this week for breaking social distancing rules.
“We are totally prepared to go in with harder measures if (the rules) are not followed,” Linde said, adding that the government has the legal power to immediateRead More – Source
Swedens foreign minister says theres been a “misunderstanding” in the United States about her countrys Covid-19 policies — which have been distinctly more liberal than the strict lockdowns instituted across much of the rest of Europe and North America.
Ann Linde told POLITICO that Sweden is not a libertarian nirvana: the government has moved to limit online gambling in recent days, is closing restaurants that break social distancing rules, and has forbidden family visits to nursing homes.
But, added Linde, “this is a marathon not a sprint” and policy “needs to be on a level thats acceptable to the people.”
Swedens public health agency believes “Its good for people to be outdoors, to have walks” she said. “If youre locked inside theres risk of depression, domestic violence, alcohol abuse” Linde continued, echoing a point President Donald Trump has often made.
Swedens relatively lax approach to controlling the coronavirus pandemic — keeping restaurants, other businesses and most schools open — has made the country a symbol for far-right activists in the United States and Europe as they push to ease domestic restrictions in their own countries.
Linde believes Sweden can afford to have looser rules because the government enjoys “high levels of trust.”
But Linde brushed off that support in remarks to POLITICO Wednesday, her first public comments in Washington since the coronavirus crisis began shuttering the globe last month.
Linde said she clarified the countrys approach during a virtual meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, as well.
The endorsement of far-right groups, “doesnt mean much”, she said, because Sweden is managing the pandemic “according to our tradition” and wont change strategy because of outside voices.
And she noted that inside Sweden, its not just the far-right Sweden Democrats who are supporting the governments approach: all eight parties represented in the Swedish Parliament are in agreement.
Linde believes Sweden can afford to have looser rules because the government enjoys “high levels of trust.”
“Government advice is not some tip that you follow if you want, its seen as something that you should follow,” she explained. By way of example, Linde pointed out that although internal travel in Sweden is not banned, there was a 96 percent decrease in travel to the popular vacation island of Gotland over the Easter weekend holiday.
Critics of Swedens approach, however, note that the country has a much higher Covid-19 death rate than its Scandinavian neighbors, including 11 times the number of deaths as neighboring Norway, with only twice the population. Linde, however, told POLITICO, “Its not much use comparing” the two countries, because so many factors determine how a virus spreads, and different countries use different measures for classifying Covid-19 deaths.
Linde did express concern for Swedens failure to keep the coronavirus out of nursing homes, one of the few settings where the country has implemented strict social distancing rules, including forbidding family visits. “There are far too many deaths in the nursing homes,” Linde conceded. “We dont know why.”
The Swedish government recently set a $500-a-week limit for individuals playing online casino and slot machines. And Linde highlighted five restaurants that were also closed this week for breaking social distancing rules.
“We are totally prepared to go in with harder measures if (the rules) are not followed,” Linde said, adding that the government has the legal power to immediateRead More – Source
