From Sweden, Sept.8, 2021

The only places the use of masks has been required are healthcare environments: hospitals, clinics, etc. They were “recommended" on public transport, first during rush hours and then all the time, but that recommendation fell away earlier this summer. The number of people using masks on public transport really varied, it was difficult for me to match an upswing in use with our covid numbers, it seemed random, and probably peaked around 60% - 70%, but typically was about 50%?

Masks are readily available in the local pharmacies, and people do wear them even when there is no recommendation to do so - perhaps currently 1 in 20 people you see on the streets and in shops and on public transport? I’ve been surprised by who wears them - some elderly people of course, but also many young people - perhaps the pressure of social media?

On September 2nd, they announced that among those “hospitalized” (not specifically ICU): 66% were unvaccinated, 34% were partially or fully vaccinated.

So, it does seem like there is some degradation of efficacy going on. Although the Public Health Authority is not sounding the alarm on that, or even whispering about 3rd doses, they say they are still satisfied by vaccine efficacy.

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