Let me tell you a little know pandemic fact that is completely contrary to something you've likely heard repeatedly during the pandemic.
πΈπͺ Sweden had what I believe to be the longest continuous lockdown in the world. πΈπͺ
πΈπͺ Sweden had what I believe to be the longest continuous lockdown in the world. πΈπͺ
Now "lockdown" isn't really officially defined. But Collins Dictionary, naming it as 2020 "word of the year" defined it this way -
"the imposition of stringent restrictions on travel, social interaction, and access to public spaces"
bbc.com/news/uk-548789β¦
"the imposition of stringent restrictions on travel, social interaction, and access to public spaces"
bbc.com/news/uk-548789β¦
April 1 2020. The following "public advice" was released in Sweden -
"Persons over the age of 70 and those belonging to other risk groups should limit their physically close contact with others and completely avoid using public transport and other forms of transport.
"Persons over the age of 70 and those belonging to other risk groups should limit their physically close contact with others and completely avoid using public transport and other forms of transport.
"If you are over 70, you should also avoid shopping in stores such as pharmacies and grocery stores or visiting other places where people gather"
folkhalsomyndigheten.se/nyheter-och-prβ¦
folkhalsomyndigheten.se/nyheter-och-prβ¦
In effect, elderly and at risk were told they were only allowed at home or outdoors away from crowds. Lockdown.
But this is just "advice", right?
No. That's a myth. It's "advice" that the law says *you are obliged to follow unless you can get the same result another way*.
But this is just "advice", right?
No. That's a myth. It's "advice" that the law says *you are obliged to follow unless you can get the same result another way*.
The then General Director of the Swedish Public Health Agency, Johan Carlson, explains it in this press conference the same day (in Swedish).
You're obliged to follow it.
You're obliged to follow it.
If that's not clear here he is cited in Swedish State media -
"Following the guidelines and preventing the spread of infection is an obligation," says Johan Carlson.
You have an obligation to follow this. This is not voluntary," says Johan Carlson"
sverigesradio.se/artikel/7443372
"Following the guidelines and preventing the spread of infection is an obligation," says Johan Carlson.
You have an obligation to follow this. This is not voluntary," says Johan Carlson"
sverigesradio.se/artikel/7443372
Other articles cover the same topic, citing government language experts, with the same message. This "public advice" **is obligatory to follow**.
Carlson - "general public advice is not just some good advice that you can choose to ignore, it is binding"
di.se/nyheter/folkhaβ¦
Carlson - "general public advice is not just some good advice that you can choose to ignore, it is binding"
di.se/nyheter/folkhaβ¦
The same day, April 1 2020, for those elderly living in care homes, all visitors were banned.
regeringen.se/pressmeddelandβ¦
regeringen.se/pressmeddelandβ¦
This was not lifted until Oct 1 2020.
Unless you were healthy enough to meet outdoors - and staff were available to support it - that was 183 days with no visitors allowed.
Unless you were healthy enough to meet outdoors - and staff were available to support it - that was 183 days with no visitors allowed.
The further "binding advice" on elderly to avoid all close contact, public transport, and shops - even food shops - continued until Oct 22.
203 days.
Was there a longer continuous lockdown, anywhere in the world?
203 days.
Was there a longer continuous lockdown, anywhere in the world?
For more than 1.5 million Swedes, nearly 15% of the population, this was "focused protection" in action.
And it didn't work.
/end
And it didn't work.
/end
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