Sweden has all chances to avoid serious economic and social problems caused by the coronavirus outbreak. It is one of the Scandinavian countries that refused to impose quarantine and strict lockdown measures. The country’s authorities have chosen the so-called balanced approach. They suppose that in the absence of the necessary medication and vaccine, the main aim of the quarantine is to provide governments of various countries with the time to mobilize their healthcare systems and work out schemes to contain the disease. Self-isolation and quarantine are not able to stop the virus spread. Thus, Sweden decided that it would be more effective to reach the herd immunity. At the same time, Sweden’s authorities increased the protection of elderly people and the most vulnerable segments of the population. Of course, it is difficult to estimate the results. However, Sweden’s economy is not as damaged as the economies of other countries. The country will hardly face massive layoffs and unemployment as well as the recession and other consequences of restrictions. Moreover, the country managed to avoid social problems. In most countries, the stay-at-home order caused a climb in the number of sexual harassment and rape, divorce, depression, alcoholism, domestic violence, suicide, and general health deterioration. "Sweden represents a model if we wish to get back to a society in which we don’t have lockdowns," WHO’s top emergencies expert Dr. Mike Ryan said.
