Read on Twitter
Thread : #Sweden & #HerdImmunity
When folks talk about the US attempting #HerdImmunity "strategy," they look to Sweden. They (sometimes) acknowledge vast death, early on, but then point to the mitigation of cases and dramatic reduction in recent deaths. 1/13
When folks talk about the US attempting #HerdImmunity "strategy," they look to Sweden. They (sometimes) acknowledge vast death, early on, but then point to the mitigation of cases and dramatic reduction in recent deaths. 1/13
And many in Sweden encourage this myth. But even they have admitted that herd immunity is unlikely nor the goal. 2/13
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/17/swedens-covid-19-strategist-under-fire-over-herd-immunity-emails#:~:text=While%20denying%20herd%20immunity%20was,prepared%20for%20a%20second%20wave.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/17/swedens-covid-19-strategist-under-fire-over-herd-immunity-emails#:~:text=While%20denying%20herd%20immunity%20was,prepared%20for%20a%20second%20wave.
Is it possible that Sweden has achieved herd immunity & that is why their outbreak has abated? ABSOLUTELY not. Their overall activities are comparable to many US states that have controlled their outbreaks: Per capita daily cases are similar to NY, CT, NJ. 3/13
But aren't they living freely without restriction?
NO.
They DO encourage social distancing. They have not embraced masks.... YET! 4/13
NO.
They DO encourage social distancing. They have not embraced masks.... YET! 4/13
Their elementary schools have been one of the few things that, apparently, are close to "normal." And this is heartening for all of us who want our kids to resume normal life. But even in elementary schools, children have adapted to a new "normal."
https://www.thelocal.se/20200511/how-swedens-schools-have-adapted-to-the-coronavirus
5/13
https://www.thelocal.se/20200511/how-swedens-schools-have-adapted-to-the-coronavirus
5/13
You MIGHT think that Universities in Sweden have returned to normal activities, since #HerdImmunity requires more spread and what better place to spread disease than among young adults. But you would be wrong.
Their restrictions are mirrors of our own. 6/13
Their restrictions are mirrors of our own. 6/13
From the Karolinska institute. https://news.ki.se/information-for-staff-and-students-regarding-covid-19 7/13
From Lund University.
https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/about-lund-university/universitys-handling-coronavirus
8/13
https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/about-lund-university/universitys-handling-coronavirus
8/13
And so on (Feel free to check Stockholm University, Gothenburg and others).
Bottom line is that they all are encouraging work-from-home, social distancing, digital learning, while having some in-person teaching (as in USA). 9/13
Bottom line is that they all are encouraging work-from-home, social distancing, digital learning, while having some in-person teaching (as in USA). 9/13
Sweden DID avoid the more draconian lock-downs that we pursued. But in most other ways, they have have followed similar paths. If we were to start again, we would learn much from our own experience and Sweden's (hopefully avoiding massive death rates!) 10/13
But make no mistake:
If you were attempting to achieve herd immunity (Sweden remains FAR away from such immunity), you would NOT be taking such care to prevent infections among the young and healthy. 11/13
If you were attempting to achieve herd immunity (Sweden remains FAR away from such immunity), you would NOT be taking such care to prevent infections among the young and healthy. 11/13
As in our country, Sweden is considering relaxing their measures in short order, as cases have declined substantially. 12/13
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-sweden-culture/sweden-to-ease-some-covid-19-curbs-on-sports-gatherings-from-october-idUSKBN25H12W#:~:text=In%20March%2C%20Sweden%20limited%20public,in%20revenues%20from%20the%20public.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-sweden-culture/sweden-to-ease-some-covid-19-curbs-on-sports-gatherings-from-october-idUSKBN25H12W#:~:text=In%20March%2C%20Sweden%20limited%20public,in%20revenues%20from%20the%20public.
We should all wish Sweden well as they face new challenges of cooler weather and the return from vacations. But please stop talking about herd immunity in Sweden: they are neither attempting that as a strategy nor going to achieve it. 13/end
