(Drivebycuriosity). The world is still fighting the Covid-19 Pandemic. There is a discussion about the Swedish model. Sweden refused to lockdown and kept factories, shops, ice cream parlors, hairdressers, gyms, schools & kindergartens open. The Scandinavian country reported in April and May Sweden high rates of infections and deaths, much higher than her neighbors which supported the critics of the Swedish experiment (driveby). In July the numbers of infections & deaths suddenly dropped and the media seemed to lose interest. Is the Swedish model really a success?
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I suppose that the drop is mostly a seasonal effect. The Swedes use the short Scandinavian summer for extensive holidays. From mid June (around June 20) through mid August schools are closed and so are most factories and offices. The Swedes enjoy the long northerly days in fresh air. "Summer in Sweden means workplaces emptying for weeks on end and a flood of 'out of office' replies from colleagues and clients taking lengthy vacations" ( thelocal). Relatively warm air and many hours of sunshine (meaning UV radiations) may help to constrain the virus.
The real test of the Swedish model will come when the holidays end. Temperatures will drop, daily sunshine time will get shorter and the Swedes will go back to schools, factories and offices.
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