Inside STAT: We're the accidental Sweden, raising fears Covid-19 will get worse

A WOMAN WAITS AT A BUS STOP IN STOCKHOLM UNDER A SIGN ASKING PEOPLE TO KEEP SOCIAL DISTANCE. (STINA STJERNKVIST/TT NEWS AGENCY/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES)

Much of the world responded to the Covid-19 pandemic by instituting widespread lockdowns and other restrictions. But Sweden was a stark exception: The country didn't impose strict lockdowns and largely allowed businesses to stay open after deciding back in March that there was little science on the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and the economic hit from restrictions would be greater. But now, as parts of the U.S. reopen businesses, it looks like the country is stumbling into Sweden's plan without any of the benefits. Sweden recorded fewer than 8,000 cases in total — while the U.S. continues to shatter daily records upward of 50,000 Covid-19 cases. Cultural differences — including Swedes' respect for government authority — may explain U.S. trends, but they may spell disaster for the U.S. in the coming months. Read more STAT's Sharon Begley and Andrew Joseph here.