Virus expert: Think corona is like a severe flu season

The corona virus has led to historical measures that have had major consequences in everyday life.

But considering the health effects, the virus may turn out to be a regular seasonal flu, believes Johan Giesecke, who points out that 500 to 2,000 people die from the flu each year.

- I think it's like a severe flu season. I think it's comparable to that, he says.

At the same time, he does not think that the measures around the world to stop the spread of infection are about an overreaction.

- You should always take heed because it can be much worse than you really think it will be. I think you have an obligation to do that.

Johan Giesecke believes that many in Sweden are infected without knowing it.

- This disease spreads very quickly and it often causes no, or very mild, symptoms. So you don't see the cases that exist in society.

The most important thing to do as a private person right now is to stay home as soon as you feel symptoms, according to Johan Giesecke.

- The most important action we can take in this country is that if you feel sick in the morning, have a sore throat, are snoopy or have a little fever, you should stay home. If everyone did, this epidemic would be over in a couple of weeks.

The United Kingdom has decided to close all schools as a result of the corona virus. Sweden and the United Kingdom have broadly had a similar strategy for dealing with the corona virus. But closing all schools is not the way to go, according to Johan Giesecke.

- It is a bad measure that causes so much else in society. There are one million children in Sweden who are between 0 and 10 years old. They need supervision, if you close the schools so that one of their parents must be at home, it will have huge effects.