With most of Europe imposing extraordinary restrictions to slow the spread of coronavirus, Sweden has left its citizens surprisingly free. Are Swedes rolling the dice with their public health, or is everyone else overreacting?
As most of Europe clamps down in a bid to slow the spread of Covid-19, one country is bucking the trend. Sweden is taking a markedly more liberal approach to combatting the virus. Despite its closest neighbours, Denmark and Norway, shutting down all but essential services, Swedes remain free to socialise as the harsh Scandinavian winter comes to an end. Although universities and high schools have shut, pre-schools, kindergartens, bars, restaurants, ski resorts, sports clubs and hairdressers have all remained open.
The streets of Stockholm and Malmo are noticeably quieter than usual, but positively bustling compared to those of Copenhagen, Oslo, London, Paris and Rome. Standing in bars is banned but as long as punters can find a seat they’re free to enjoy a night out. Other steps taken include gatherings of more than 50 people being banned and the over 70s being urged to self-isolate.
With the exception of Belarus, which hasn’t even suspended its football league, Sweden’s restrictions amount to the most relaxed out there. This has prompted observers both in and outside the country to wonder if they are playing fast and loose with the nation’s health or taking the most proportionate response in the West. Prime minister Stefan Lofven has warned that times ahead would be tough but also put the onus on individual Swedes. He added: “We all, as individuals, have to take responsibility. We can’t legislate and ban everything.”
This tactic is at odds with the strategy in the UK which has been to tell citizens to stay at home and limit leaving the house to once a day. Sweden’s experts have taken a very different view to the UK’s, with their state epidemiologist, Anders Tengell, saying the Imperial College London modelling, predicting 250,000 deaths and informing Boris Johnson’s strategy, is “pessimistic”. The latest numbers in Sweden show nearly 3,500 cases and 105 deaths. Tengell told The Observer: “As long as the Swedish epidemic development stays at this level, I don’t see any big reason to take measures that you can only keep up for a very limited amount of time.”
Sweden’s move has allowed for businesses to stay open, reducing the impact on the country’s economy. The approach has been broadly well received by the public, who view it as a more sensible course of action than the draconian steps taken in other countries. It also places the country in a better position to ramp back up to full capacity after the pandemic subsides. Lofven’s government seems less inclined to be seen to just “do something” compared to many in the West. Swedes have not clamoured for the state to restrict their freedoms in the same way many in other countries appear to have done.
Only time will tell what the best response to this year’s outbreak turns out to be, but for the moment Sweden’s more laissez-faire approach should be heartening to its population. The government entrusting its citizens to observe advice and adjust their behaviours accordingly without the threat of police intervention is something that should be applauded in a free society. It also maintains a higher level of trust going in the other direction, from the public to the government. On a practical level, not employing draconian measures immediately prevents hysteria from taking hold amongst the public and allows for a slower escalation of measures should they be needed.
Trust is an important factor in a democracy where a government rules by consent of the people. Public trust in Sweden is exceptionally high, with citizens having faith that their politicians are acting in the public interest. Their propensity to treat adults like adults is key to that trust remaining.
Without question, sacrifices will have to be made in the fight against Covid-19, but it is vital that public trust in the government is not one of the things lost. By taking a more measured response and basing their actions of advice rather than enforcement, Sweden’s government is taking a gamble but arguably a less risky one than Britain or Germany have. Sweden is allowing its economy to function at a much more normal level than the rest of Europe, which has effectively almost shut down.
If the pandemic turns out not to be as fatal as, for example, Britain’s experts initially feared, then the draconian measures enforced by other countries could result in the cure being worse than the disease. However, if it does turn out to be as deadly as predicted, but no more so in Sweden than in other countries, the government could still not be accused of having done nothing but would still be in a more economically stable condition. The only situation that would leave the Swedish government truly open to criticism would be if the mortality rate in Sweden outstrips similar countries, but thus far there seems little indication that that is likely to be the case.
China reported a drop in new coronavirus infections for a fourth day as drastic curbs on international travellers reined in the number of imported cases, while policymakers turned their efforts to healing the world’s second-largest economy.
The city of Wuhan, at the centre of the outbreak, reported no new cases for a sixth day, as businesses reopened and residents set about reclaiming a more normal life after a lockdown for almost two months.
Smartly turned out staff waited in masks and gloves to greet customers at entrances to the newly-reopened Wuhan International Plaza, home to boutiques of luxury brands such as Cartier and Louis Vuitton.
“The Wuhan International Plaza is very representative (of the city),” said Zhang Yu, 29. “So its reopening really makes me feel this city is coming back to life.”
Sunday’s figure of 31 new cases, including one locally transmitted infection, was down from 45 the previous day, the National Health Commission said.
As infections fall, policymakers are scrambling to revitalise an economy nearly paralysed by months-long curbs to control the spread of the flu-like disease.
On Monday, the central bank unexpectedly cut the interest rate on reverse repurchase agreements by 20 basis points, the largest in nearly five years.
The government is pushing businesses and factories to reopen, as it rolls out fiscal and monetary stimulus to spur recovery from what is feared to be an outright economic contraction in the quarter to March.
China’s exports and imports could worsen as the pandemic spreads, depressing demand both at home and abroad, Xin Guobin, the vice minister of industry and information technology, said on Monday.
The country has extended loans of 200 billion yuan ($28 billion) to 5,000 businesses, from 300 billion allocated to help companies as they resume work, Xin said.
Authorities in Ningbo said they would encourage national banks to offer preferential credit of up to 100 billion yuan to the eastern port city’s larger export firms. The city government will subsidize such loans, it said in a notice.
A close aide to Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has tested positive for Covid-19. But the 70-year-old politician is not expected to go into 14-day self-isolation, amid fevered talks on a unity government.
Rivka Paluch’s test for the coronavirus came back positive shortly after her husband was taken to hospital with the disease. The veteran politician serves as Netanyahu’s adviser on ultra-Orthodox affairs and was involved in organizing a Knesset vote last Thursday.
After her diagnosis was revealed, some Israeli media said the prime minister and some members of his cabinet will now have to enter a 14-day quarantine. But hours later the premier’s office said isolation will likely not be necessary and that Health Ministry specialists were conducting an epidemiological study to determine the course of action.
Paluch earlier told The Jerusalem Post that, contrary to earlier reports, she didn't engage with Netanyahu in person last week when she helped prepare the Knesset vote. She said it was very unlikely that she had passed the virus to the prime minister.
Paluch's husband apparently contracted the virus during a hospital visit, she said. Both spouses have minimal symptoms of Covid-19 and the aide didn't expect her test would come back positive.
Netanyahu reportedly has had multiple negative coronavirus tests since mid-March and intends to submit to one on Monday. As of Sunday night, there were 4,347 confirmed Covid-19 cases in Israel, with the death toll standing at 16. Seven members of parliament had gone into self-isolation by Sunday, due to exposure to carriers of the virus.
Paluch, 64, is considered a high-risk patient due to her age. So would be Netanyahu, if his test came back positive.
In addition to dealing with the Covid-19 outbreak, Israel is undergoing political turmoil at the moment. Netanyahu, who has three corruption cases hanging over his head, is trying to hammer out a deal on forming a unity government with his rival, Benny Gantz.
Gantz was elected Knesset speaker last week, but it cost him the support of two former members of his Blue and White coalition, who would rather be in opposition than in a government headed by Netanyahu.
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Syed Zulfikar Bukhari has decided to undertake legal proceedings against PMLN’s Khawaja Asif for levelling allegations against him, on Monday.
According to details, Zulfikar Bukhari has sent Asif a legal notice and sued him for Rs1 billion for wrongly holding him responsible for pilgrims coming into Pakistan from Taftan.
The defemation notice also demands that the senior politcian pleads guilty to his wrong doing and unfounded allegations against a government functionary and apologizes to Zulfikar Bukhari.
The notice give Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz stalwart and current member of the National Assembly, Khawaja Asif 14 days to come clean on the matter or face court proceedings.
Zulfikar Bukhari’s notice entails that the accusations levied by Asif have caused insurmountable damage to his reputation and such acts will not go unpunished.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Pakistan goes past 1625 after more people tested positive in all provinces of the country and 20 deaths reported.
Punjab is still on the top list of coronavirus cases 593, then Sindh 508, 144 in Balochistan, 195 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 128 in Gilgit-Baltistan, 51 in Islamabad; and 06 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. On the other hand, 28 patients have been recovered from coronavirus.
More than 662,000 COVID-19 cases have been registered in 200 countries and territories of which a majority have been in Europe, the worst-hit continent by the virus.
Recovered Patients:
Two coronavirus patients on Monday have recovered their health after treatment in Buner, an area of Khyber Pakhunkhuwa.
According to the health department, both the patients tested negative after being admitted to the hospital due to deadly virus, earlier this month.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Minister for Health and Finance Taimur Jhagra on Monday lauded the provincial administration for enforcing a coronavirus lockdown in the area.
From the air, Mingora Swat, where the effects of the lockdown are also visible. For sure things can improve, but it is clear the KP administration is doing a fantastic job. Thank you all. pic.twitter.com/hzfBAXEorO
Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider on Monday said that 204 teams of the government were in the field to tackle the coronavirus outbreak across the valley.
"Saving human lives is my responsibility. We have started spraying disinfectants in the cities, streets and residential areas of the valley," he told the media at a press briefing.
China's special plane carrying relief goods
Another aircraft of China carrying medical supplies regarding Coronavirus pandemic arrived in Karachi on Monday.
The medical supplies include testing kits, N-95 masks and protective suits.
Sindh Governor Imran Ismail on March 27 had received a consignment of medical aid from China for fighting the coronavirus epidemic in the country at Karachi airport.
Sports Celebrities Boxer Amir Khan to donate Rs40m to Pakistan
Pakistani origin British boxer Amir Khan has announced to donate Rs40 million to Pakistan to help fight the novel coronavirus.
Boxer Amir Khan also offered to use his Islamabad boxing academy as a quarantine for the coronavirus patients.
Developing health sector real service to nation: SAPM Awan
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Firdous Ashiq Awan has said that developing the health sector is a real service to the nation.
In a statement issued on Monday, the SAPM said that the opposition was upset when government ministers spoke truthfully.
“Developing the health sector was not a priority for the previous rulers,” Awan said. “What mattered to them was putting their name on the board.”
“For Imran Khan, the health of the nation comes first,” she said, adding that the incumbent premier had increased the health budget.
Spain's emergency health chief Fernando Simon has tested positive for the Covid-19 infection. The 57-year-old began displaying symptoms on Sunday evening and underwent testing overnight.
The news was confirmed by doctor Maria Jose Sierra during the health ministry’s daily coronavirus press briefing.
There are 41,495 Covid-19 cases in Iran, the country’s health officials reported in the latest update. The death toll from the pandemic has reached 2,757 in the Islamic Republic, a nation hit hard by the viral disease.
Iran is among nations hit hardest by the Covid-19 epidemic with a number of reported deaths on par with France.
The Iranian government blames US unilateral sanctions for undermining its ability to deal with the disease. Washington has been using the so-called ‘maximum pressure campaign’ to cripple Iranian economy after withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran.
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Another aircraft of China carrying medical supplies regarding Coronavirus pandemic arrived in Karachi on Monday.
The medical supplies include testing kits, N-95 masks and protective suits.
Sindh Governor Imran Ismail on March 27 had received a consignment of medical aid from China for fighting the coronavirus epidemic in the country at Karachi airport.
The governor received the aid consignment on behalf of the federal government. The consignment comprises 56,000 testing kits to detect coronavirus cases, N95 surgical masks, and other medical emergency equipment.
A team of Chinese doctors also arrived in Pakistan on Saturday to help the country in containing the spread of the coronavirus.
The Chinese doctors will remain in Pakistan for two weeks and advise health care specialists of Pakistan in the light of their experience and success in battling Covid-19 in China.
China's assistance to Pakistan so far includes 12,000 test kits, three million masks, 10,000 protective suits and four million dollars to build an isolation hospital.
Xinjiang government has also provided 50 thousand masks each to the Federal Capital as well as to the Sindh government.
Pakistan Coast Guards has on Monday distributed free ration among the fishermen, said the PCG spokesperson.
The ration was distributed among the fishermen in Pasni, Gwadar, Jiwani and Manhora, who are passing through tough times due to the COVID-19 outbreak in the country.
The spokesperson of the Pakistan Coast Guards further said that 20 boats and 600 jawans are on the ground to stop spread of the novel coronavirus. “So far 284 boats and 4,256 fishermen have been screened.”
On the other hand, registration is underway for Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Corona Relief Tigers force to fight the novel coronavirus outbreak in Pakistan.
The premier had announced the force in a press talk with journalists past week in Islamabad. He discussed measures taken by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government to contain the virus.
The deadly pneumonia-like disease has infected over 650,000 and claimed more than 30,000 lives since originating in Chinese city of Wuhan December last year.
The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases around the world has soared past the 700,000 milestone, according to tallies carried out by Johns Hopkins University and the AFP news agency.
The total number of cases worldwide now stands at over 724,000, as several regional outbreaks have led to major spikes in the numbers, most notably in the United States.
Authorities in the US are now reporting upwards of 143,000 cases, followed by Italy with 97,600 and China, the original epicentre of the pandemic, with 82,000 cases.
As of early Monday, the total number of deaths from the disease now stands at 34,026. More than 152,000 people across the globe have recovered from the illness, according to the John Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center.
Europe remains the hardest-hit continent with Italy holding the grim title of most fatalities. With 10,779 people succumbing to the virus, the Mediterranean country’s death toll is more than three times China’s. Meanwhile, Spain continues to post alarming daily increases in fatalities from the coronavirus, with the death toll now at 6,803.
By comparison, Germany has managed to limit the death rate to just 455 people despite racking up 57,298 confirmed cases.
Across the Atlantic, US President Donald Trump's Covid-19 tsar, Dr. Anthony Fauci, has warned that the country is facing potentially "millions of cases" and up to "200,000 deaths," which would eclipse the current figures from across the world.
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Some healthy foods that boost and improve the immune system strong.
Reach for Elderberries
Modern Day Folk Medicine
Elderberrry is a shrub that has been used medicinally for centuries. Sambucus nigra, or black elderberry bush, is the version most commonly used to make syrup and lozenges. Extracts of elderberry have antiviral, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. Elderberry is also high in flavonoids. People take elderberry syrup as a remedy for colds, flus, and bacterial sinus infections.
The plant medicine works by reducing swelling in mucus membranes. Some studies suggest elderberry extract reduces the duration of the flu. If it works for flu infections, it may help your immune system against coronavirus (COVID-19) infection.
Elderberry Interactions
Elderberry benefits are numerous, however, the remedy may interact with certain prescription medications. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist prior to adding any new remedy to your regimen. Elderberry may interact with the following medications.
Diurectics: Elderberry is a diuretic so taking it with a prescription diuretic will increase the effects.
Laxatives: Elderberry has laxative effects, so it should not be taking with other laxative mediations.
Steroids: Elderberry stimulates the immune system so it should not be taken with steroids and other medications designed to suppress the immune
system. People who are on immunosuppressive drugs after having undergone organ transplantation should not take elderberry.
Chemotherapy: Elderberry may interfere with chemotherapy and should not be taken with it.
Diabetes medications: Elderberry lowers blood sugar so it should not be taken with medications that treat diabetes.
Theophylline: Elderberry may reduce blood levels of this medication prescribed to treat asthma and respiratory conditions.
Have More Mushrooms
Immune System Boosters
Wondering how to boost your immune system? Eat more button mushrooms. Mushrooms are high in selenium and B vitamins like riboflavin and niacin. These minerals and vitamins are necessary for the immune system to work in tip top form. Mushrooms are also high in polysaccharides, sugar-like molecules that boost immune function.
Acai Berry Benefits
Antioxidant-Rich Berry
Acai berry is a black-purple fruit that is derived from the acai palm tree in Brazil, Trinidad, and certain parts of South America. The fruit is high in anthocyanins. These flavonoid molecules are very potent antioxidants. They combat oxidative stress in the body by mopping up free radicals. Antioxidants are credited with boosting immunity and lowering inflammation in the body. There's never been a better time to enjoy an acai bowl!
Immune-Boosting Fruit
Acai berry is such a potent antioxidant and stimulator of the immune system, researchers are studying it as a potential treatment for all kinds of conditions. Areas of study include acai use in people with
increasing prostate specific antigen (PSA);
cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome;
lower rectum cancer;
constipation, and
Other potential for studies could include other conditions (for example, yeast infections, Flu, COVID-19).
Watermelon
Watermelon gives the body vitamin A, C and B6, nutrients, and compounds like glutathione for proper immune function.
Pumped About Watermelon
Watermelon Nutrition
Watermelon is an immune-boosting fruit. One 2-cup serving of watermelon has 270 mg of potassium, 30% of the daily value of vitamin A, and 25% of the value of vitamin C.
Calories in watermelon aren't much at all. One 2-cup serving of watermelon has just 80 calories. Watermelon also provides vitamin B6 and glutathione. The body needs these vitamins, nutrients, and compounds like glutathione for proper immune function.
Two coronavirus patients on Monday have recovered their health after treatment in Buner, an area of Khyber Pakhunkhuwa.
According to the health department, both the patients tested negative after being admitted to the hospital due to deadly virus, earlier this month.
Moreover, 17 more suspected patients have also tested negative of the novel coronavirus.
The total count of coronavirus cases has jumped to 1625 and 18 deaths were reported, according to the national dashboard of Pakistan on Sunday.
The latest statistics of COVID-19 cases showed the highest count in Punjab with 593 patients, 508 in Sindh, 195 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), 144 in Balochistan, 128 in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), 51 in Islamabad, 6 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
11 patients infected with the virus are being said in critical conditions and some among them were put on ventilators. The patients who have recovered from the disease were 28 so far.
The Islamabad High Court on Monday granted protective bail to former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in illegal appointment case.
The Islamabad High Court granted protective bail to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) for four weeks.
Former Prime Minister had filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking protective bail in an illegal appointment case against him. Barrister Zafarullah Khan has filed the petition on Abbasi’s behalf on Saturday.
The Accountability Court, Karachi, on Friday issued non-bailable warrants for former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in a reference about the illegal appointment.
The anti-graft watchdog also filed second reference against Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in the illegal appoint of Imran-ul-Haq as PSO managing director in a Karachi accountability court.
NAB in December last year filed a reference in the accountability court against Mr Abbasi, Mr Ismail, former managing director of the Pakistan State Oil (PSO) Sheikh Imranul Haq, former chairman of Ogra Saeed Ahmed Khan, Ogra chairperson Uzma Adil Khan, Engro group chairman Hussain Dawood, former chairman of the Port Qasim Authority (PQA) Agha Jan Akhtar, former member of Ogra Aamir Naseem, another former managing director of PSO Shahid M. Islam and PSO official Abdul Sammad.
Mr Abbasi was arrested in connection with the case in July. He is accused of awarding a 15-year contract for an LNG terminal allegedly when he was petroleum minister in former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s cabinet.
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) had granted bail to Abbasi in Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) reference on February 25.
