Introduction:
In March early on in this pandemic we first drew attention to some ultra-left errors on the COVID outbreak.[1] In there we also outlined some of the salient science. In several articles since we have elaborated on these issues. However, a persistent ultra-leftist ‘denialist’ stand has continued to make itself heard. The remarkable coincidence of these views with some of the ultra-right wing is a sorry spectacle. [2] We do not wish to re-tread old ground, but a series of misperceptions about the death rates in Sweden prompt this short review. Some have argued that Sweden while not undergoing severe lock-down, has experienced good outcomes. Naturally no thinking Marxist can see the Swedish state as ever having been a bastion of socialism. However it has been a relatively liberal state. As if to show that this was only a façade, the state adopted very anti-science based policies in its COVID epidemic. Led by a strong-willed epidemiologist (Anders Tegnell) it adopted a policy for no or very minimal ‘lock-down’ and mask-wearing, to build up a so-called ‘herd immunity’. This also supposedly would leave the economy unscathed. Such nonsense has been shown to be a complete failure on both counts:
“there’s so far limited evidence that Sweden’s decision to leave much of its society open will support the economy. Finance Minister Magdalena Andersson recently warned that Sweden is facing its worst economic crisis since World War II, with GDP set to slump 7% in 2020, roughly as much as the rest of the EU.” [3]
In the process, it also un-veiled a remarkably cynical view on the expendability of old people. There is no need to expend energy in polemicising on this. It is remarkable that any leftist might be taken in by the Swedish experience. We only try here to offer a view of the scientific literature at the moment on COVID-19 and death rates, in especial as related to Sweden.
1) Sweden knocked off the old with COVID
Simply put, the true mortality rates from Sweden cannot be reliably estimated in the old as there is a significant pressure to under-report these. This can be seen from anecdotal reports now widely circulating in the lay press about how people in old age homes are ‘allowed to die’ without support. See for instance this vignette in the WSJ – which in this case has a happy ending:
“When 81-year-old Jan Andersson fell ill with Covid-19 at a nursing home in the Swedish town of Märsta, a doctor consulted by phone ordered palliative care, including morphine, instead of trying to help him fend off the infection. Mr. Andersson’s son, Thomas Andersson, says he was told his father was too frail for other treatment. The younger man disagreed and, after arguing with the physician, summoned journalists and insisted his father be given lifesaving care. Mr. Andersson has since recovered.” [4]
Click here to read the entire article as a PDF.
[1] How Should Marxists View the COVID-19 Pandemic of 2019-2020? March 17 2020; at: https://ml-today.com/2020/03/17/how-should-marxists-view-the-covid-19-pandemic-of-2019-2020/
[2] ‘Looking Under the Hood – The Instrumentation of a Pandemic; November 30, 2020; at: https://ml-today.com/2020/11/30/covid-denial-fascism/
[3] Rafaela Lindeberg, ‘Man Behind Sweden’s Controversial Virus Strategy Admits Mistakes’; Bloomberg; June 3, 2020, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-06-03/man-behind-sweden-s-virus-strategy-says-he-got-some-things-wrong
[4] Bojan Pancevski, ‘Coronavirus Is Taking a High Toll on Sweden’s Elderly. Families Blame the Government. Discontent is growing over official triage guidelines critics say too often deny elderly patients vital care”; June 18, 2020; for The Wall Street Journal