On September 22, Facebook user Tea Alvarez spread the post about the coronavirus and Swedish approach in the fight against the epidemic in the group “Union of Georgian Emigrant Women”. According to the claims of a Facebook user, in the video shared via youtube, the former health minister of Sweden announces that COVID-19 is a common virus and pandemic was declared only to scare people and gain control over them, and the aim was to promote globalization, establish united government and introduce a single currency in the world. As Facebook user claimed, Sweden’s policy of rejecting regulations on epidemic management has been driven by the above-mentioned facts.
Information spread by the Facebook user as if Sweden’s approach to the management of the epidemic (fewer regulations) was driven by the fact that COVID-19 is a common virus as stated by the former health minister of Sweden is false. In reality, 1. Respondent in the interview isn’t the former health minister of Sweden, but the Swedish engineer and former businessman Lars Bern. 2. Swedish model of COVID-19 response implies a different approach to the management of the healthcare system and not the rejection of pandemic.
1. Respondent in the interview isn’t the former health minister of Sweden, but the Swedish engineer and former businessman Lars Bern
In reality, the respondent in the interview isn’t the former health minister of Sweden, but the Swedish engineer and former businessman Lars Bern.
Bern is a skeptic and opponent of climate change and globalization and he often does a guest appearance at SwebbTV, a right-wing alternative media outlet. Lars Bern often spreads conspiracy theories on climate change, including his claims that climate politics is a propaganda tool used to scare society in Sweden, which aired on one of the programs of SwebbTV. Bern also criticized SVT (Swedish National Television) and stated that they spread disinformation about climate change. Bern actively fights against globalization. In one of the articles, he criticizes U.N Agenda 2030, calls it a “Global Control System” and claims that the mentioned aims to transfer power from democratically elected leaders and sovereign countries to global corporations. Lars Bern also believes that Anglo-American hegemony that has ruled the world for a while now, will soon be replaced by large global companies that dominate the economy and their ultimate goal is to seize total power in the world. Bern also criticized George Soros and called him a “malefic villain”.
The Swedish model of COVID-19 response implies a different approach to the management of the healthcare system and not the rejection of pandemic
What does the Swedish model imply?
The Swedish healthcare system is one of the leading ones in the world. From the early stages of the onset of the pandemic, Sweden chose an approach different from other countries, which is based on the proper functioning of the healthcare system and social responsibility, rather than strict regulations and “lockdown”, which makes Sweden stand apart from almost all countries.
Sweden relies on social distancing that is considered a civil responsibility to contain the epidemic. According to Sweden’s epidemiology guideline, citizens should work from home where possible and avoid public transport. Therefore, the main foundation for the Swedish approach is public awareness. Various scientists emphasize that “Swedish people follow rules more responsibly compared to other countries”.
Even though Sweden rejected strict regulations, some restrictions are still applied – there’s a ban on the gathering of more than 50 people and visiting care homes, services in bars, and restaurants shifted to “table-only” service.
Anders Tegnell is the chief epidemiologist responsible for the epidemic management in Sweden. Compared to other countries, other government agencies and politicians aren’t involved in healthcare politics during a pandemic.
Even though scientists have determined the country’s epidemiological strategy from the start of the pandemic, Prime Minister has established a coronavirus commission that looks into the response from authorities at a national, regional, and local level.
The Swedish model has many critics inside the country, as well as on the international level. The opposition party called for the chief epidemiologist to resign. According to the COVID-19 death rate, Sweden ranks the fifth-highest in Europe, significantly more than neighboring countries. When COVID-19 cases decreased in summer, chief epidemiologist Anders Tegnell has announced that the reason for that was Sweden reaching widespread immunity. Albeit, COVID-19 cases are increasing in September. Prime Minister of Sweden Stefan Löfven announced that the infection rate is concerning.
The Swedish model is often linked to “Herd Immunity”, which implies that at least 60% of the population must be contaminated for the society to develop immunity. Albeit, Swedish officials never mentioned that they aimed to reach herd immunity. The chief epidemiologist explained that society would develop resistance to the virus in the absence of vast regulations, but his prognosis didn’t imply “Herd Immunity”.
Chief epidemiologist Tegnell doesn’t regret Sweden’s chosen strategy, albeit according to him, more tests at the start of the epidemic and closer cooperation between Scandinavian countries would’ve yield better results.
Disinformation as if COVID-19 is a “common virus” has been spread before
“Myth Detector” has previously written about the disinformation as if COVID-19 is a common virus and isn’t more dangerous than the flu.
COVID-19 is a new and current virus, hence it’s impossible to determine the exact mortality rate at this stage. Albeit, based on existing data, the COVID-19 mortality rate is significantly higher than the seasonal flu.
In March, the worldwide mortality rate was officially announced to be 3.4%, albeit based on the latest data, it’s reached approximately 5%. Influenza virus, manifested as the seasonal flu, has significantly less mortality rate at 0,1%, therefore the claim that COVID-19 is less dangerous than the flu is unfounded.
Read more in the article prepared by “Myth Detector”:
- Influenza vs. COVID-19 – Which is More Severe?
