A new opinion piece by Dr. Cory Franklin in the Chicago Tribune raises questions about the COVID-19 approaches taken by Sweden and the US. The article compares COVID-19 cases and deaths in the two countries, highlighting that Sweden had roughly 27 cases out of 100 people, while the US had 34 cases out of 100. In terms of COVID-19 mortality, the US had 3.7 deaths per 1,000 people, while Sweden had 2.7 deaths per 1,000. The article suggests that the health of Swedish citizens may have played a role in the lower mortality rate. Additionally, the article mentions that excess deaths were elevated in every developed country, but Sweden had the lowest figure at 5%. [2c188eef]
The article also discusses the economic impact of the pandemic in Sweden and the US. It states that the Swedish economy grew by 0.4% during the pandemic, while the US economy shrank by 1.2%. The article attributes this difference to the Swedish strategy, which avoided strict lockdowns. The article argues that prolonged school closures in the US caused educational damage, with American students lagging behind in math and reading. It suggests that the Swedish strategy, which prioritized keeping schools open, was considered superior. The article concludes that the effectiveness of lockdowns during COVID-19 is not a definitive blueprint for the future, and any national strategy must consider the economic, social, educational, and mental health effects. [2c188eef]
The opinion piece by Dr. Cory Franklin provides a perspective on the COVID-19 approaches of Sweden and the US. It highlights the differences in cases, deaths, and economic impact between the two countries. The article suggests that the Swedish strategy, which focused on avoiding strict lockdowns and keeping schools open, was considered superior. However, it also acknowledges that the effectiveness of lockdowns during COVID-19 is not a definitive blueprint for the future, and a comprehensive strategy must consider various factors. [2c188eef]