More Proof Herd Immunity is the Way to Go

from The Hill:

Sweden could reach ‘herd immunity’ in weeks, top doctor says

Sweden has faced some criticism for not imposing a lockdown amid the coronavirus outbreak.

getty:People enjoy the warm spring weather at Hornstull in Stockholm during the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic

Story at a glance

• Sweden’s chief epidemiologist says Stockholm could have herd immunity in weeks.
• The country has rolled out voluntary measures, advising the elderly to avoid social contact, but the country’s borders have remained open.
• The country has more than 16,000 cases with more than 1,900 deaths.

In an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus outbreak, many countries imposed lockdown restrictions on public life, prompting the closure of schools, restaurants and businesses deemed non essential.

But Sweden did something different.

Instead of imposing strict social-distancing policies like most of the world, Sweden aimed at keeping public life as open as possible, allowing for some exposure to the virus to build immunity among its population.

Sweden rolled out voluntary measures, advising older people and others particularly vulnerable to the virus to avoid social contact. It also recommended people work from home, wash their hands regularly and avoid nonessential travel. But the country’s borders stayed open, along with some schools and many businesses.

Now Sweden’s chief epidemiologist says “herd immunity” could be reached in Stockholm in the coming weeks, according to CNBC.

“In major parts of Sweden, around Stockholm, we have reached a plateau [in new cases] and we’re already seeing the effect of herd immunity, and in a few weeks’ time we’ll see even more of the effects of that. And in the rest of the country, the situation is stable,” Dr. Anders Tegnell, chief epidemiologist at Sweden’s Public Health Agency told CNBC Tuesday.

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