Sweden had been the unlikely poster boy for a laissez-faire approach to the pandemic, the champion of leaving it to its civic minded citizens to demonstrate good sense and social solidarity by social-distancing voluntarily. The government allowed restaurants, gyms, shops, playgrounds and most schools to remain open. Neighbours Denmark and Norway opted for strict quarantines, banning large groups and locking down shops and restaurants. More than 59,400 infections were announced as the virus continued its resurgence in the south and west. At least five states – Missouri, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and West Virginia – set single-day records for new infections .

Source: The Irish Times July 09, 2020 20:30 UTC