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Why do you consider Sweden’s surrounding countries to be comparable? What specific metrics are you basing that on? To me it seems like this comparison is arbitr

Why do you consider Sweden’s surrounding countries to be comparable? What specific metrics are you basing that on? To me it seems like this comparison is arbitrary and relies on uncritical readers accepting geographical proximity as an acceptable proxy for all the complexities involved. Sweden’s strategy could well have worked if they committed to it. They didn’t actually go for “herd immunity” as you claim, and had a number of lockdown restrictions in place, although to a lesser degree than some other places. They unfortunately had some early blunders with nursing home protocols, and over half their deaths are from nursing homes specifically. But if you correct for that, they would be looking a lot better. As for isolating the elderly or vulnerable - it’s not a cognitive dissonance. Two different parties both have a right to liberties, the ability to assess risk trade offs for themselves, and agency to make their own decisions. Those who are risk averse can quarantine themselves indefinitely, while those who aren’t can continue with their lives unimpeded. What exactly is the dissonance?

ptaipale 6y ago
Sweden's neighbours share similar demographics, climate, legislation, administration, health care system and to a large extent also cultural traits. Swedes do a bit more of greeting people by hugging and even cheek-kissing than Finns or Norwegians do, but they all are a far cry from Italy, France or Belgium in that respect. Thus, with so much similarity in background variables, the policy differences towards the epidemic are highlighted.
- htfu 6y ago
  Only with a not-yet in effect law, which has been months in the making, will measures even approaching a full lockdown be legal in Sweden. An actual full lockdown would require constitutional level changes which has to go through multiple administrations before coming into effect. There literally hasn't been many possible measures to take beyond those taken. The country is also more devolved into regional administration than the neighbors. So yes, there are major differences in legislation. This is weirdly missing from the rah-rah coming from both sides - it's not even really a tactic, but the outcome of our laws.

ptaipale 6y ago

Sweden's neighbours share similar demographics, climate, legislation, administration, health care system and to a large extent also cultural traits. Swedes do a bit more of greeting people by hugging and even cheek-kissing than Finns or Norwegians do, but they all are a far cry from Italy, France or Belgium in that respect. Thus, with so much similarity in background variables, the policy differences towards the epidemic are highlighted.

htfu 6y ago
Only with a not-yet in effect law, which has been months in the making, will measures even approaching a full lockdown be legal in Sweden. An actual full lockdown would require constitutional level changes which has to go through multiple administrations before coming into effect. There literally hasn't been many possible measures to take beyond those taken. The country is also more devolved into regional administration than the neighbors. So yes, there are major differences in legislation. This is weirdly missing from the rah-rah coming from both sides - it's not even really a tactic, but the outcome of our laws.