1\ Let's check in with Sweden, which remained open while the rest of the world locked down
Were the hospitals overrun? No. ICU admissions have been flat for a month, and ICUs still have space to accept more patients:
Were the hospitals overrun? No. ICU admissions have been flat for a month, and ICUs still have space to accept more patients:
2\ Deaths, too, are flat to down. And we know they are counting all COVID-19 deaths, because their excess mortality figures match reported COVID-19 deaths.
3\ What of the claim that the US required lockdowns to enforce social distancing that Sweden undertook voluntarily?
You can't see it in the data. Sweden appears to have done less social distancing:
You can't see it in the data. Sweden appears to have done less social distancing:
4\ Yes, you can find some neighboring countries that locked down and have fewer deaths than Sweden (just as you can find countries that locked and have more deaths)
But so what?
But so what?
5\ Let's also remember that there is no downside to Sweden's approach.
Any Swede who wants to stay at home can stay home. Any Swede who wants to wear a mask can wear a mask
You may not like the idea of other people refusing to live in fear, but that is their choice
Any Swede who wants to stay at home can stay home. Any Swede who wants to wear a mask can wear a mask
You may not like the idea of other people refusing to live in fear, but that is their choice
Oops, wrong chart. Here are deaths:
6\ I showed the wrong chart for "deaths". Here's the right chart:
