Analysis: Sweden goes its own way in Europe - voluntary instead of coercion

The Swedish model of countering the coronary pandemic builds that people take a great deal of their own responsibility and follow the recommended restrictions in their own lifestyle. In the rest of Europe, citizens are now threatened with fines and imprisonment for those who violate strict laws.

Sweden already differs from the rest of the world in assessing how large a population of people may be. Max 500 says the Swedish government. 100 say the Irish government. Ten say the Danish government. Two, say the German, Polish and British government.

Unlike Denmark, for example, Sweden has not closed primary schools. Unlike Norway, there is no prohibition on sleeping in summer cottages.

Large parts of Europe have introduced tough rules with curfew to stop the spread of infection. In Greece, France, Italy and Spain you can only go out to shop for food, go to a pharmacy, visit a doctor or dog the dog. In Italy, ingenious dog owners therefore rent their dog for 250 SEK an hour for those who legally want to get fresh air. Anyone who violates the rules is threatened by fines or even imprisonment.

In Sweden we are still allowed to move freely, to go to restaurants, cinemas and the gyms that are open. But it is based on the fact that Swedes follow the clear instructions that exist to keep a social distance of one and a half to two meters, to wash their hands frequently and at the slightest symptoms of colds stay at home in self-elected quarantine. Older people and those belonging to risk groups are encouraged to isolate themselves.

In social media, psychological explanations flourish as to why Sweden chooses its path: That we Swedes are an authority believer and like to keep social distance, are some explanations. In international comparison, we have great confidence in our authorities.

Until the weekend, the UK and the Netherlands were followed up with the Swedish model, which is more based on clear recommendations but few bans.

Liberal Boris Johnson was hard pressed because he built his guidelines on voluntary and refused to issue bans. But after seeing pictures of Britons who were drunk at the weekend, waiting for a message to close the bars, he probably had. On Monday, orders came out that were clear: "You have to stay home".

In the Netherlands, too, the limit for what is considered to be a people gathering was adjusted down to three people.

But in SVT's Aktuellt on Tuesday, state epidemiologist Anders Tegnell said he had an understanding of sometimes social contacts. Infection protection expert Johan Gisecke urged people to bring a coffee mug and go out in the spring sun and enjoy a park bench. It is dangerous for health to stay inside all the time, he reasoned.

"You don't have to think so much about infecting outdoors," he said in SVT's Morning Study.

A third expert said he understood that Swedes in Easter want to go to their mountain cabin and ski, that's okay as long as you stay home after the ski trip.

These noises are Swedish experts alone. And it has started to receive increasing international attention. The Swedish model is described as a series of "appeals" and "advice" from authorities, Prime Minister and King Carl Gustaf.

Chinese media have criticized Sweden for surrendering and being "a black hole for the corona virus". German public health experts, on the other hand, tell Svenska Dagbladet that Sweden is a role model. However, with the addition that the Swedish model is based on the experts accepting a slightly higher death toll, in mind and sense to plan out the hump and make people sick at a slower rate.

So far, the Swedish model works, the situation was described as "stable". Relatively few have died. In the US and Spain, people are falling at a much faster rate.

But the tone may change if the number of sick people in Sweden escalates. At that time, Sweden risks a burst of international condemnation for stubbornly sticking to the Swedish line instead of imposing curfews, with an increased presence of police and military in the streets.

But right now it is quite clear that "In Sweden, we have a model".