Sweden had worse economic performance than its direct neighbors with its Q3 GDP down over 8.3% as well as killing a far greater percentage of its people. They did a real two-fer failure.
That was one of Sweden's initial arguments for
not having a Lockdown...
To save the economy but they quickly realize that as a trade dependent country...those they trade with and have Lockdowns...it does in fact impact Sweden's economy. They also learned quickly early in the Pandemic that they are economically dependent upon their tourism industry. They greatly felt that economic impact when tourists from nearby countries were not allowed to leave those countries because of border closures.
I have not looked recently at their GDP numbers but early in the Pandemic it had declined significantly in comparison to the prior years...not sure what the recent quarter results are for Sweden.
My point, if your country GDP is dependent
or connected to other countries...what happens in those other countries will in fact impact your GDP regardless if Sweden Lockdown or did not Lockdown.
Also, what's the impact of a country that doesn't lockdown but instead uses restrictions or measures ???
Seems to me there's not much difference between the lockdown, restrictions or measures if its having the same impact on the GDP, deaths and mental well being but other countries have proven via the 1st Wave that Covid infection that Lockdowns itself do in fact lower infections, hospitalizations and deaths.
Yet, we've learn that the
Re-Opening process are very problematic and too complex for many countries to manage properly which is why we're now in a 2nd Wave. Simply, we know for fact that Lockdowns work but the Re-Opening failed...people just weren't careful (lack of face mask wear, lack of hand washing and lack of social distancing)...all three go together...
Doing just one and not the others is an illusion which is why we're now in this 2nd Covid-19 wave. Also, there's so much misinformation going around the world and here at ET by people critical of wearing a face mask when in reality many people wearing a face mask are often seen pulling down their face mask to have conversation with others or not wearing the proper face mask and not social distancing.
I recently learned of a friend that's now in the hospital with positive Covid-19. His wife told me over the telephone that she doesn't understand how he got it because he always
wore his face mask. Yet, she doesn't think the bar that they visit often that's typically over capacity during the Pandemic health restrictions was problematic.
Simply, no social distancing while wearing a face mask.
You can not do just one and not the other...gotta do all three...wear a face mask, social distancing and hand washing. Ridiculous to see people pulling down their face mask to have a conversation with someone.
We Reap what we Sow
wrbtrader