Sweden's Pandemic Story: Covid-19, A Chronology 2020-23 : Foolhardy, Exceptional, or Just Principled?

While hard lockdown was avoided in Sweden during Covid-19, 5 years on much reflection has taken place over the pandemic legacy across the world. The US House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic concluded its investigations in 2024, and the UK Covid-19 Inquiry continued into 2025 and 2026. Sweden was also scrutinized by a Coronakommission, its final report appearing in 2022. The aftermath of Sweden’s pandemic pointed to experience and outcome not so far removed from that of other European countries of comparable size. However, its critics, excited and intrigued by Sweden's approach to Covid-19, would point to the many elderly dead and see unfavorable comparison with outcomes elsewhere in the Nordic region. This detailed and fact-filled book embraces the continuing interest in Sweden's approach, and is an attempt to dismantle the myths and misconceptions around it, offering a more nuanced and thorough understanding of Sweden's response to Covid-19.