Virus measures comparatively relaxed in Sweden

The streets of Stockholm are quiet but not deserted. After a long, dark Scandinavian winter, the coronavirus is not keeping Swedes at home even while citizens in many parts of the world are sheltering in place.

Swedish authorities have advised the public to practice social distancing and to work from home, if possible, and individuals over age 70 to self-isolate.

Yet those measures are liberal compared to the severe lockdowns across Europe, allowing Swedes to continue enjoying a relative degree of a personal freedom.

Standing at bars has been banned, but people can still be served at tables in restaurants.

High schools and universities are closed but preschools and primary schools are still working.

The government has decided, however, that for now, it's enough to trust citizens and call upon their sense of personal responsibility to stay home if they feel any symptoms of the new coronavirus.

Many are observing the social distancing advised by authorities, one sign of the high level trust that exists between the government and its citizens.

Anders Tegnell, Sweden's chief epidemiologist, defends the government's approach, saying the measures are effective.

He argues that "drastic" measures like closing schools for four to five months could themselves harm public health.

But some scientists are criticising the Public Health Agency's policies as irresponsible and based on shoddy science.

In an open letter to the government, some 2,000 academics called for greater transparency and urged the agency to provide better evidence to explain their strategy.

A basis for Sweden's liberal approach has been the relatively low numbers of infections in the nation of 10 million people - 3,447 confirmed cases and 102 deaths.

But these numbers also reflect limited testing, with some 24,500 tests conducted by Wednesday, according to official statistics.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and could lead to death.