Sweden has extended its lead in terms of death rate and new case growth in Europe. Actually, the death rate is the worst in the world during the last 2 weeks. The policy adopted in Sweden has failed, and some humility on the part of the state epidemiologist would be appreciated.
If we think our testing rate’s bad, look at Sweden’s. It’s appallingly bad.
Also, if you have Covid-19 to gain admittance to the ICU in Sweden you must have a reasonable to good chance of survival. This kind of rationing is not acceptable as far as I’m concerned.
Sweden gained nothing – not even remotely close to herd immunity – from refusing to impose a lockdown, except that some restaurants, gyms, and schools remained open. Sweden’s economy is actually doing worse than its neighbors. Clearly, its public health `strategy’ has backfired as it’s seeing significant growth in new cases and deaths while numbers in the rest of Europe dwindle.
Somehow I have to be looking at this incorrectly. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Sweden’s population is 10.23 mm, 36.476 covid cases and 4,360 deaths
Massachusetts population is 6.8 mm, 91,662 cases, 6,304 deaths
Population density has a lot to do with it. Sweden’s total area is 450,000 square miles. Massachusetts’s total area is 10,500 square miles. Massachusetts is much more urban with a density of 840 people per square mile vs Sweden’s at 60 per square mile.
Makes sense. But also makes sense to me that it is a bit like comparing apples and oranges when we try to compare countries.
If you have not heard this song, please take four minutes. It is just lovely.
Thank you and…..Oh my. Another box of tissues later. I shared my link on FB but will replace with yours. This is lovely.
It is my understanding she donated a million dollars to vanderbuilt for covid research. She is truly an amazing woman. And there are many more. I am working on focusing on the good. And it isn’t always easy
Vicki, you’re correct when comparing Massachusetts to Sweden. But, the comparison I’m making – and others – is between nations. Certainly a number of regions of America have worse death rates, but on the whole the death rate is lower in the U.S.
Also, the testing rate in Sweden is almost 4 times lower than Massachusetts, and 2 times lower than the U.S. average. So, total numbers of confirmed cases will be much `too’ low.
The worrisome trend on deaths is that Sweden is the only country in Europe where new deaths have been flat or increased slightly in the past 2 weeks. All other European nations have seen steady decreases during this time period.
Thanks, Joshua.
The state of Maine continues to be on the list of recent hotspots. The only one of the New England states. I don’t get it.
Good question. I saw on Wednesday that a couple of areas scheduled to open were no longer going to open. I have not looked into it in detail. My daughter keeps saying that it takes a large number of flu cases 4-6 weeks to travel from metro west to our area. Maybe that is the reason. But I wonder how it’s testing is also
I fear for our country at this point. We’ve got some major problems. Covid-19 is one of them. Hasn’t been addressed or handled well, obviously, by federal or state governments. Police brutality is a serious problem, too. I cannot understand why in America so many people die at the hands of the police. This doesn’t happen in civilized democracies (or very rarely). Just doesn’t. I know, I’ve lived in several countries. The rules of engagement in American policing must change. The economy is in serious trouble, too with tens of millions of unemployed. It’s summer. They’re angry. Been cooped up for months. The nation is a tinder box waiting to be engulfed in flames, with our commander in chief stoking the fire and street vandals looting and destroying properties. Many of the protests have been peaceful. But, with the coronavirus a real threat, even these demonstrations have negative implications as having people packed together is going to lead to outbreaks. I guarantee that.
Man, we’re leaderless. The irony of having Trump the strong man is that we don’t really have a leader, at least not someone who constructively addresses problems. Trump’s tweets today – you can’t make this stuff up: 1. “If the looting starts the shooting starts.” That’s called the opposite of Diplomacy 101. 2. “We need to have a full Republican convention in North Carolina, without face coverings.” Okay, sir, you do know we’re in a pandemic. 3. “The U.S. withdraws from WHO.” Well, even if the WHO made mistakes on Covid-19, it’s about 1% of what they do. The organization has coordinated and overseen successful programs – often in collaboration with U.S.-based foundations and pharmaceutical companies – targeting the world’s neglected diseases, such as malaria, TB, Dengue fever, leishmaniasis, cholera, etc … saving millions of lives.
Finally, as Jesus said, let him who is without sin cast the first stone. Everyone makes mistakes, sins. The U.S. isn’t above it. And certainly Trump isn’t. When he engages in this “WHO, you made a mistake, and you will pay dearly” argument, I’m reminded of Christ’s message.
Trump is the most ineffective leader ever to set foot on this planet.
PATHETIC and what is worse, millions of people supported and elected him.
What does that say about much of the US population? Pretty sad state of
affairs.
Oh, and do I totally agree with you regarding the police brutality!
As much as Boston has been trying, it is evident here as well.
As someone I know stated: “It’s the blu klux klan”
Look, I know that NOT all police are like this, but I also know that
far too many are and it needs to stop.
The Minnesota State legislature is trying to force a bill that completely
changes how police are hired and trained and that is an excellent start.
But, it needs to occur in every state and city.
re: the demonstrating and rioting…
I completely understand. This crap has been going on far too long.
Perhaps it will calm down when the other three so-call police officers
are arrested.
In Boston, they were protesting right outside of our office, which was clearly visible on the news last night. I didn’t see any damage, but I need to check.
Our facilities person is on the way into the office to check it all out. He just told me to his knowledge, no damage, but an onsite visit
will hopefully confirm it.
JPD, is your office in the South End? I heard that area was going to be the where the demonstration was scheduled to begin.
The previous night was near Ashmont Station.
C-19 for 5-30 is up…
Comments are closed.
Your no-hype southeastern New England weather blog!
Sweden has extended its lead in terms of death rate and new case growth in Europe. Actually, the death rate is the worst in the world during the last 2 weeks. The policy adopted in Sweden has failed, and some humility on the part of the state epidemiologist would be appreciated.
If we think our testing rate’s bad, look at Sweden’s. It’s appallingly bad.
Also, if you have Covid-19 to gain admittance to the ICU in Sweden you must have a reasonable to good chance of survival. This kind of rationing is not acceptable as far as I’m concerned.
Sweden gained nothing – not even remotely close to herd immunity – from refusing to impose a lockdown, except that some restaurants, gyms, and schools remained open. Sweden’s economy is actually doing worse than its neighbors. Clearly, its public health `strategy’ has backfired as it’s seeing significant growth in new cases and deaths while numbers in the rest of Europe dwindle.
Somehow I have to be looking at this incorrectly. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Sweden’s population is 10.23 mm, 36.476 covid cases and 4,360 deaths
Massachusetts population is 6.8 mm, 91,662 cases, 6,304 deaths
Population density has a lot to do with it. Sweden’s total area is 450,000 square miles. Massachusetts’s total area is 10,500 square miles. Massachusetts is much more urban with a density of 840 people per square mile vs Sweden’s at 60 per square mile.
Makes sense. But also makes sense to me that it is a bit like comparing apples and oranges when we try to compare countries.
If you have not heard this song, please take four minutes. It is just lovely.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MejIAGuaiNM
Thanks Vicki, that is wonderful. Here is another version with some great video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEUYlo6OoDY
Thank you and…..Oh my. Another box of tissues later. I shared my link on FB but will replace with yours. This is lovely.
It is my understanding she donated a million dollars to vanderbuilt for covid research. She is truly an amazing woman. And there are many more. I am working on focusing on the good. And it isn’t always easy
Vicki, you’re correct when comparing Massachusetts to Sweden. But, the comparison I’m making – and others – is between nations. Certainly a number of regions of America have worse death rates, but on the whole the death rate is lower in the U.S.
Also, the testing rate in Sweden is almost 4 times lower than Massachusetts, and 2 times lower than the U.S. average. So, total numbers of confirmed cases will be much `too’ low.
The worrisome trend on deaths is that Sweden is the only country in Europe where new deaths have been flat or increased slightly in the past 2 weeks. All other European nations have seen steady decreases during this time period.
Thanks, Joshua.
The state of Maine continues to be on the list of recent hotspots. The only one of the New England states. I don’t get it.
Good question. I saw on Wednesday that a couple of areas scheduled to open were no longer going to open. I have not looked into it in detail. My daughter keeps saying that it takes a large number of flu cases 4-6 weeks to travel from metro west to our area. Maybe that is the reason. But I wonder how it’s testing is also
https://www.kff.org/other/state-indicator/covid-19-testing/?currentTimeframe=0&sortModel=%7B%22colId%22:%22Location%22,%22sort%22:%22asc%22%7D
I fear for our country at this point. We’ve got some major problems. Covid-19 is one of them. Hasn’t been addressed or handled well, obviously, by federal or state governments. Police brutality is a serious problem, too. I cannot understand why in America so many people die at the hands of the police. This doesn’t happen in civilized democracies (or very rarely). Just doesn’t. I know, I’ve lived in several countries. The rules of engagement in American policing must change. The economy is in serious trouble, too with tens of millions of unemployed. It’s summer. They’re angry. Been cooped up for months. The nation is a tinder box waiting to be engulfed in flames, with our commander in chief stoking the fire and street vandals looting and destroying properties. Many of the protests have been peaceful. But, with the coronavirus a real threat, even these demonstrations have negative implications as having people packed together is going to lead to outbreaks. I guarantee that.
Man, we’re leaderless. The irony of having Trump the strong man is that we don’t really have a leader, at least not someone who constructively addresses problems. Trump’s tweets today – you can’t make this stuff up: 1. “If the looting starts the shooting starts.” That’s called the opposite of Diplomacy 101. 2. “We need to have a full Republican convention in North Carolina, without face coverings.” Okay, sir, you do know we’re in a pandemic. 3. “The U.S. withdraws from WHO.” Well, even if the WHO made mistakes on Covid-19, it’s about 1% of what they do. The organization has coordinated and overseen successful programs – often in collaboration with U.S.-based foundations and pharmaceutical companies – targeting the world’s neglected diseases, such as malaria, TB, Dengue fever, leishmaniasis, cholera, etc … saving millions of lives.
Finally, as Jesus said, let him who is without sin cast the first stone. Everyone makes mistakes, sins. The U.S. isn’t above it. And certainly Trump isn’t. When he engages in this “WHO, you made a mistake, and you will pay dearly” argument, I’m reminded of Christ’s message.
Trump is the most ineffective leader ever to set foot on this planet.
PATHETIC and what is worse, millions of people supported and elected him.
What does that say about much of the US population? Pretty sad state of
affairs.
Oh, and do I totally agree with you regarding the police brutality!
As much as Boston has been trying, it is evident here as well.
As someone I know stated: “It’s the blu klux klan”
Look, I know that NOT all police are like this, but I also know that
far too many are and it needs to stop.
The Minnesota State legislature is trying to force a bill that completely
changes how police are hired and trained and that is an excellent start.
But, it needs to occur in every state and city.
re: the demonstrating and rioting…
I completely understand. This crap has been going on far too long.
Perhaps it will calm down when the other three so-call police officers
are arrested.
In Boston, they were protesting right outside of our office, which was clearly visible on the news last night. I didn’t see any damage, but I need to check.
Our facilities person is on the way into the office to check it all out. He just told me to his knowledge, no damage, but an onsite visit
will hopefully confirm it.
JPD, is your office in the South End? I heard that area was going to be the where the demonstration was scheduled to begin.
The previous night was near Ashmont Station.
C-19 for 5-30 is up…