Sweden, Norway Lifts COVID restrictions Spark reactions when experts want to end mandates
The decision by Sweden, Norway and Denmark to lift COVID-related restrictions has received mixed reactions on social media in the middle of an attempt to end vaccines and mask mandates in the US
The proposal to scrap COVID-related restrictions in all three countries prompted some criticism of the measures in the United States, as some Republicans continue to push back toward mandates in hopes of achieving similar results.
“I find the controversial culture of the United States extremely problematic,” said Twitter user Anthony LaMesa. wrote.
“These countries understand that learning to live with Covid no longer means being obsessed with case numbers and introducing systems that are a gross waste of taxpayers’ money without any obvious public health benefit,” says another person. tweeted.
On Tuesday, Republican Senator James Lankford introduced the Oklahoma Stop Vaccine Mandates Act in an attempt to revoke President Joe Biden’s order requiring COVID vaccinations.
“President Biden’s executive order exceeded his power too much. Every American should be able to make the decisions that are best for them and their families,” he said in the statement attached to the bill he left. ” No American should have to choose between his conscience, his health and his job. “
Lankford also joined other Republican senators, including Ted Cruz of Texas, Tommy Tuberville of Alabama and Roger Marshall of Kansas, to pass the Covid-19 Vaccine Prevention Act last month. The bill prohibits the Ministry of Defense from issuing a dishonest discharge of liability to officials who choose not to be vaccinated.
Meanwhile, another Republican, Sen. Mike Lee from Utah, said on Thursday that he “simply does not believe that the federal government should mandate the COVID-19 vaccine for all Americans,” despite its benefits.
Similar to Lee’s views, Republican Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin argued that the way some governments and communities reacted to the pandemic was “simply meaningless.”
In an op-ed for Washington Times Johnson said: “The advent of the vaccine mandate exacerbates social divisions and will only increase pandemic damage.”
“We are relentlessly told by the covid-19 gods-federal agencies, mainstream media and social media-that they alone represent science, and that any other interpretation of data or opinions is termed dangerous misinformation,” he said. “This attitude contradicts what we have generally heard about a serious medical diagnosis:” Always try to get a second or even third opinion. “”
Sweden was the latest to join the list of countries removing COVID-related restrictions. On Wednesday, the country lifted its remaining pandemic restrictions, including capacity restrictions at gatherings and events, according to Euronews. Recommendations to work from home were also dropped.
At the same time, Norway began to move to “normal everyday life” on Saturday, but with increased preparedness in emergency situations, the Norwegian government said. The country lifted all its domestic restrictions except for requiring people to be quarantined if they have COVID symptoms.
“We no longer need to keep our distance. We can socialize with people as we did before,” said Erna Solberg, the Norwegian Prime Minister. “We are removing the restrictions on the number of people who can participate in events together. Drinks no longer need to be served at tables, and entry after midnight is no longer prohibited.”
In addition, Denmark became one of the first EU countries to restore its COVID restrictions on 10 September, including the requirement to present COVID vaccination certificates to enter nightclubs as nightclubs. The Danish government cited the country’s high vaccination rate and control of the pandemic as reasons for its decision.
“But even if we are in a good place right now, we are not away from the pandemic and the government will not hesitate to act quickly if the pandemic again threatens important functions in our society,” said Health Minister Magnus Heunicke on 27 August.