The questions I would ask Sweden about COVID-19

Dear Sweden,

COVID-19 has set unprecedented implications on the socio and economic aspects across sectors and markets, and especially on the eldercare sector. I have heard so much about the herd immunity approach that is widely reported by global media outlets about Sweden, that I am curious about what is happening in Sweden. Is it life as usual in Sweden while the rest of the world bunkered down to strict social distancing and stay home measures?

Unlike your Nordic neighbors, Sweden decided against instituting a strict lockdown. The government has enforced social distancing rules but decided to keep most bars, restaurants, schools and retail shops open. The country's approach relies on public cooperation to slow the spread and not overwhelm the hospital system. Your health agency issued recommendations for people to work from home, avoid travels within the country, engage in social distancing for those above 70 and to stay home as much as possible. More importantly, those with minor symptoms that could be linked to COVID-19 are advised to stay home, with paid leave and without a doctor's note for up to 21 days.

The Swedish strategy aims to protect its senior and vulnerable citizens and to slow down the spread of the virus by flattening the curve and allow healthcare capacity to keep up with the number of active cases. As of 8 June 2020, there have been 44,730 confirmed cases and 4,659 deaths. Did you succeed by encouraging the right behaviour and creating social norms rather than mandatory restrictions? And did such a strategy to keep the Swedish economy running?

I decided to interview Swedish dementia and palliative care expert, Ms Petra Tegman, who is also an international representative of Stiftelsen Siviahemmet - Her Majesty, Queen Silvia of Sweden’s dementia foundation, joins us on 9 June 'live' from Sweden, in exploring the implication of COVID-19 on the eldercare sector.

Petra brings her experience in care to discuss with us Sweden’s Covid-19 response for the community care sector and how Sweden adopted a different approach to handling COVID-19. Register here:  https://hubs.ly/H0qVsF90

Looking forward to an insightful discussion on:

• Pros and cons of the Swedish COVID-19 strategy
• What is the outcome so far?
• Why did so many elderly get infected and pass away?
• What lessons can be taught from this epidemic?

COVID-19 is the biggest challenge to hit our lifetime. We have seen emergence of digital keyboard warriors and armchair critics who are quick to judge the right and wrong approaches that governments and policy makers have taken. There is no right answer or right approach, no one size fits all, as every country, culture, economic and social climate is different. But one thing for sure, every country presents a learning opportunity, a chance to exchange insights and approaches and to build a global community that will approach the next health crisis with a little bit more preparation and foresight from the last.

Stay healthy, stay safe, stay home

"Follow" the Ageing Asia Linkedin page for the follow up interview with Petra Tegman after our webinar on 9 June 2020: https://www.dhirubhai.net/company/ageing-asia-pte-ltd/

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