Sweden is resistant to face masks when the Covid councils change, while Denmark introduces new rules
When Sweden and Denmark introduce tougher measures to deal with an increase in the coronavirus, the leading Swedish epidemiologist has warned that some people in his country are resistant to changing advice.
Prof Anders Tegnell said that many people do not wear masks in public transport due to his agency’s previous skepticism about face protection.
Face masks are now required in Sweden’s public transport when congestion can not be avoided.
Prof Tegnell said that masks are an effective way to stop transmission, especially in confined spaces, and that health officials should work to change attitudes to promote their use.
“We can not get away from the fact that we have been skeptical of face masks, and people have understandably taken it up and have it in the back of their minds. And then it is difficult to change that attitude, he tells the newspaper Today’s news.
In neighboring Denmark, new restrictions were announced on Friday to close theme parks, including theme parks and museums, in response to an increase in Covid-19 cases that experts said was faster than expected.
“Theaters, cinemas and concert halls, they will have to close,” said Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. “We have to limit our activity. We all have to limit our social contacts.”
The restrictions, which take effect on Sunday for four weeks, were announced along with a record of more than 11,000 cases in the previous 24 hours.
Swedish deaths
Prof Tegnell, who is known for his practical approach to the covid-19 pandemic, said that face masks are useful in situations where congestion can not be avoided.
Sweden implemented one of Europe’s mildest coronavirus measures last year, with face masks and other mandatory social distancing that was dismissed as unnecessary according to Prof Tegnell’s strategy.
But by the end of 2020, the country was forced to impose strict new restrictions – such store closures and curbs at gatherings – to deal with a rising infection rate that topped 5,000 new cases per day.
Sweden has opted out of closures throughout the pandemic and relied on mostly voluntary measures aimed at social distancing.
It has seen several times more deaths per capita than its Nordic neighbors, but fewer than most European countries that have opted for strict locks.
In October, a commission investigating the country’s pandemic response criticized the slow and insufficient response of the authorities, defended by advisers such as Prof Tegnell.
Sweden reported 4,022 new cases on Thursday – lower than the day before but among the highest daily increases since late spring.
The authorities also warned that stricter restrictions may well be announced next week when the Swedish Public Health Agency publishes an update on how it views the pandemic developing in the future.
Sweden, which has a population of 10 million, now has more than 500 patients who need care for Covid-19, of which 79 are in intensive care.
Updated: December 17, 2021, 6:46 p.m.