Don’t Knock the Swedish Approach to Covid

Letter to WSJ.

"With all due respect, I beg to differ with Dr. Scott Gottlieb on the issue of Sweden’s approach to Covid-19 (“Sweden Shouldn’t Be America’s Pandemic Model,” op-ed, Aug. 31). The deaths per 100,000 are almost identical between the two countries despite Sweden having an older population. As of Sept. 2 the U.S. had 571 deaths per 100,000 and Sweden 576 per 100,000. Contrary to Dr. Gottlieb’s assertion, Sweden, like the U.S., did not perform well in protecting the elderly, according to its chief epidemiologist Anders Tegnell. Contrast then the drop in the second quarter GDP for the two nations. The U.S. GDP dropped 31.7% in contrast to Sweden’s GDP dropping 8.6%. This difference in loss rates cost the U.S. an additional $1.25 trillion in lost GDP in the second quarter. Further, schools have remained open in Sweden, avoiding the damage being done to children and families by the school closures here. Sorry, but given the evidence, I do believe that we can learn from Sweden.

John F. Bastian, M.D.

San Diego"