STOCKHOLM ¨C Does Sweden¡¯s decision to spurn a national lockdown offer a distinct way to fight COVID-19 while maintaining an open society? The country¡¯s unorthodox response to the coronavirus is popular at home and has won praise in some quarters abroad. But it also has contributed to one of the world¡¯s highest COVID-19 death rates, exceeding that of the United States.
In Stockholm, bars and restaurants are filled with people enjoying the spring sun after a long, dark winter. Schools and gyms are open. Swedish officials have offered public-health advice but have imposed few sanctions. No official guidelines recommend that people wear masks.
During the pandemic¡¯s early stages, the government and most commentators proudly embraced this ¡°Swedish model,¡± claiming that it was built on Swedes¡¯ uniquely high levels of ¡°trust¡± in institutions and in one another. Prime Minister Stefan Lofven made a point of appealing to Swedes¡¯ self-discipline, expecting them to act responsibly without requiring orders from authorities.
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