Multi-disease, substance abuse, mental illness and limited sanitation. There was much to suggest that the country's homeless would be one of the most vulnerable groups during the corona pandemic. But that does not seem to have been the case - on the contrary.
At the Salvation Army's shelters in the country, no major spread of infection has been noticed.
- The homeless are very vulnerable normally, but in our business there has not been a large increase in infected, only isolated cases and no overrepresentation, says Bert Åberg, head of investigation at the Salvation Army.
- It feels very nice in the middle of this deplorable situation.
"Both strange and fantastic"According to Malin Roseborg at the City Mission in Stockholm, the infection has barely been noticed among their approximately 200 regular users.
- As far as I know, we have not had a single confirmed corona fall in this group, which we thought we would have. It is both strange and fantastic, says Malin Roseborg.
According to her, life has become more difficult for both addicts and the homeless since the coronavirus struck. At the City Mission and the Salvation Army, the activity has been marked by increased pressure.
- Everyday life has become more difficult because fewer eateries and the like are open than usual. And even homeless people try to avoid staying among people, they try to keep their distance, but they stay in the public rooms, on buses and Central Station.