From Deborah, Feb.9, 2022

There has never been much uptake here of mask-wearing. It grew as the pandemic wore on, but really, in general it was never more than 10% of people, and strangely, these were often young people, perhaps feeling social pressure because of international social media? Even when the government was recommending more mask-wearing on public transportation, there seemed to be collective indifference. They are recommended at airports, and uptake is higher there, perhaps 75%. The only places were masks have been *required* are health clinics and hospitals. And American companies often brought their mask policies to Sweden - so if you went into an Apple store the staff would be masked up. I have never heard anyone reprimanding anyone about it. It’s just not an issue here. And for that I thank Tegnell, who stood his ground on this at the beginning of the pandemic, even though the push-back continued for 2 years.

The bigger events that I have been to during the pandemic - plays and movies - I’d say there was little to no mask-wearing. I guess people figure if they are that worried they shouldn’t be there at all.

There is probably an interesting group dynamic at play here, if people don't feel socially-coerced by large numbers, they don’t bother. It’s like entering another universe when I travel - the minute I step on the plane, the endless masking and group conformity. The second I touch down in Sweden, I rip off that mask and take a deep breath, I think they are a misery.