NORTHERN HIGHLIGHTS : SCANDINAVIA’S CONTRASTING RESPONSES TO CORONAVIRUS

ABOUT THE ARTICLE

From the vantage point of an outsider, Scandinavia might convey the impression of a lump of minute, homogeneous countries. The region remains famous for desert places, snow, breathtaking landscapes, heavy coffee drinkers and high living standards. Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden might show similarities and intertwined pasts, but each of these countries holds unique national features. One stupendously blatant and recent evidence of this particular fact is their grappling with the unprecedented sanitary crisis following the Coronavirus outbreak.
When contamination waves gradually hatched in every nook and cranny of our planet, the sanitary threat was not construed as such by everyone. Some Nordic countries rolled out proactive measures with neither delay nor demur, while others hemmed and hawed before initiating the fight. Interstate disparities give us the latest reminder that, when faced with crises, Europe is still divided — even amongst purportedly akin countries. As all ventured into uncharted territories, the first half of the year two-thousand-and-twenty saw a revived comparison across the Norden. Many of us are currently wishing for a fast-forward to the post-pandemic era. However, it now seems essential to ponder the diverse strategies deployed in the Nordic region: not only will this analysis give us insightful cultural knowledge, but also will it teach us invaluable lessons for the future unfolding before us.
 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Claire GUYOT is part of the international board, a member of the international delegation in Norway and also of the Asia study group.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Les Jeunes de l’IHEDN.
 

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