UK, Italy, and Sweden's Strategies for Preventing the Spread of SARS-Cov-2

Comparing The UK, Italy, And Sweden's Strategies for Preventing the Spread of SARS-Cov-2
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The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes the disease COVID-19, has led to a global pandemic since first emerging in late 2019. By March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic as sustained community spread was seen across multiple countries and continents. Nations have implemented various public health strategies to curb transmission, from lockdowns to mask mandates. However, the restrictions have varied between nations such as the United Kingdom, Italy, and Sweden. These countries tried to instill some preventive measures, whose effectiveness varied. The UK relied heavily on periodic lockdowns, expansive testing, and contact tracing. Meanwhile, Italy implemented rigid lockdowns and closed many businesses. In contrast, Sweden opted for a lighter touch strategy based on voluntary measures. Initial data indicates Sweden saw higher death rates while strict, lengthy lockdowns in Italy curbed infections and mortality more sharply. However, virus resurgence remains a threat. Ultimately, while all three countries enacted preventative measures, their varying approaches saw differing levels of effectiveness in suppressing SARS-CoV-2 transmission and mortality. The essay will critically analyze and compare the strategies taken in the United Kingdom, Italy, and Sweden to prevent SARS-CoV-2 spread, assessing their relative effectiveness.
The United Kingdom pursued a mitigation strategy based on periodic lockdowns coupled with expanded testing and contact tracing. Key prevention measures included requiring face masks in public spaces, banning large gatherings, closing high-risk businesses like pubs and restaurants, and implementing work-from-home orders during lockdown periods (Banholzer et al., 2021). However, the UK took a less restrictive stance than many other European nations. The country underwent three national lockdowns in March-July 2020, November 2020-March 2021, and January-March 2021. In between these lockdowns, most businesses and schools reopened, and restrictions eased (Brown & Kirk-Wade, 2021). This "whack-a-mole" strategy