Analysis: "Sweden is used as a terror example in Argentina"

When I tell you that I come from Sweden, it usually arouses dreamy looks in the Argentines. A romantic image emerges of an idyllic welfare society in the spirit of understanding - with a strong economy and well-functioning institutions. A perfect counterpart to the stunted self-image of Argentina as a country crippled by perpetual economic crisis, high inflation and political polarization.

But something happened. Suddenly, friends and acquaintances hear about questions about Swedish crisis management. Sweden has been transformed into a bat in the discussion on how Argentina should respond to the pandemic. Behind the debate is a simple but difficult to digest truth - it is easy to announce a quarantine but very difficult to get out of it.

As the corona virus struck with full force against Southern Europe and the death toll shot up, warning bells began to ring across the Atlantic. Many Argentinians have family ties to Italy and Spain - avoiding a similar medical collapse became the highest priority for the Argentine government and the country was one of the first in Latin America to close its borders and announce quarantine.

President Fernandez's vigorous action strengthened his position, won large sections of the population's support and forced the opposition to keep a low profile - at least initially. But the quarantine has been extended time and time again. Weeks turned into months and more and more are now wondering how long the state of emergency will last.

Worried child psychologists warn of the curfew's long-term consequences and social workers in vulnerable areas flags that other diseases such as dengue fever and tuberculosis are forgotten when all focus is directed to covid-19. At the same time, entrepreneurs are raising their voices to start opening up society and getting the economy started. And when they give examples of what such a model could look like, they point to Sweden.

But the president is not ready to rescind the quarantine that has existed since March 20. Some relief will be introduced as of Monday, but broadly the current strategy continues. During his speech to the nation, Fernández happily showed figures that say Argentina has coped with the corona crisis better than neighboring countries - just over 5,500 confirmed cases and almost 300 dead so far.

The problem is that the pandemic is far from over. And when the number of deaths is made a yardstick for success, the temptation is to let the state of emergency be permanent. Argentina's economic outlook - with large foreign loans and weak growth - was bleak even before the corona virus hit the world economy. Now it looks night black. Maybe then a comparatively good result in keeping the number of dead in covid-19 is the only victory the Argentine government can hope for and therefore intends to do everything it can to deliver.

For Fernández, Sweden's high death rate compared to the Nordic neighboring countries becomes an argument for silencing criticism of the quarantine. The fact that Swedish crisis management is not primarily based on economic considerations but is primarily a result of a political tradition with independent institutions such as the Public Health Authority are important nuances that fall away when complex processes are reduced to political points.

With a simple estimate that completely ignores local circumstances, President Fernández concluded that Argentina would have 13,900 dead in covid-19 if the country chose the Swedish route. So far, a majority of the population supports the president's crisis management. But to use Sweden as a deterrent is, to say the least, complicated when most Argentinians still have a very positive view of Swedish society. And it wasn't long before the ironic responses filled social media: "Please let's be like Sweden! Where do we write? ”