ANALYSIS: The longer the crisis becomes, the deeper Magdalena Andersson gets to dig into the pockets

The situation is acute for many of Sweden's small businesses. On the 25th, wages will go out for many entrepreneurs and when a number of industries have seen revenues go to zero or decrease dramatically, bankruptcies in the wake of the crisis are waiting. Especially in the industries most affected by the fight against infection, such as various types of service companies, especially in restaurants, travel companies and trade.

There, margins are small and many companies have already previously balanced on slack line.

So far, the assistance to Swedish companies has consisted either of opportunities for loans and of reducing the companies' salary costs through short-term permits, delinquent waiting days and state sick pay liability.

The Riksbank's SEK 500 billion, which would lubricate banks' lending, has probably helped when many companies started to draw on their credit lines. Above all, it has lessened concerns that the banks would be hurting money in the wake of the crisis.

But for the one million small business owners in Sweden who do not have any major collateral, this probably has not helped. And after all, it is difficult for banks to lend to companies that do not know when they can start making money again. Today's targeted measures in the form of reduced employer contributions to the end of June cost Swedish taxpayers SEK 33 billion. It also gives companies some kind of time frame for support.

At the same time, government loan guarantees are provided in a corporate tax of up to SEK 100 billion - that grip has not been tested since the 1990s crisis. This means that there is an imminent risk that the state will thus become part-owner of a number of companies if the crisis deepens. And so, the state wants to encourage landlords to lower rents for affected companies and therefore offers to cover some of the costs.

For the vulnerable companies, today's support package is a lifeline. Not everyone helps with everything, but as we learn in crises, it will probably help more and then the needs become clearer.

The opportunity to postpone the VAT that was also launched, probably many entrepreneurs are pulling for. It can lead to indebtedness for a long time if your own company cannot turn around.

The deeper and longer the crisis becomes, the deeper Magdalena Andersson gets to dig into her pockets.

Countries such as the United States and Japan have already begun distributing money to their citizens. So-called helicopter money. But unemployment insurance and labor market policies are limited. Then there will probably be more support and help for the many who become unemployed in the first place, before money is spent on the majority.