Pandemic Anniversary in Sweden

 

One year ago on March 13th, I got a message from a friend to say that there were more people shopping at the grocery store at a time, when it was usually just her.

We had returned from our trip to the California a couple weeks before. I had kept both kids home from daycare because they had colds and then we heard about the growing Corona cases around the world and how it was now a Pandemic. The kids actually ended up staying home from March until school started again in August. Sweden never locked down, so we did a lot of walks, playtime away from others and just exploring our neighbourhood (where we live we don't need a car and we stopped taking the tram to avoid infection). We also got the baby an activity seat, so he could bounce around at home. We stocked up on crafts/art supplies for the todller, did more baking, and thankfully the weather was getting warmer so we even hung out on our balcony blowing bubbles and having 'tea parties' with real cupcakes ;)

I remember on March 13th, after reading that message from a friend, I decided to stock up. I took my then 5 month old, and 3 year old, to one of the bigger grocery stores to pickup as much as my stroller could carry. One was in the carrier, the other in the stroller (but often liked to walk around the store to help me shop).

Really like that the undercarriage of our Bugaboo Buffalo (replaced by the Fox and Fox II) is so spacious and easy to access. 

The baby was sitting in the stroller so I could rest my back, while the Toddler ran around.

After our grocery trip, I stopped at the playground on the way home so the toddler could get more energy out. We didn't want to stay out too long because of the groceries.Who knew that would be the start of a loooong year.

Apotek - pharmacy, ran out of headache pill and cough syrup.

My co-pilot got sick, so I went to the Pharmacy ("Apotek") a few times that week to see if I could get some cough lozanges, any over the counter cough medicine and whatever else he needed. In the Spring, there wasn't much testing for Covid. When we called the clinic they said unless he has breathing issues, you go to the hospital. We also had a video visit with the Doctor, and they advised some cough syrup, muscle pain meds and nothing much else. Both of us took the antibody test months later when it was offered, but both of us were Negative.

Fast forward to today. Currently, the cases in Sweden have been going up again. There is more testing around, but they don't test kids under 6, unless they were in direct contact with the infected. There were multiple Covid cases at my kids' day care in January (but not in there group), so they have been home just in case. Makes working from home a bit of a challenge, but I do what I can.  

I've read articles that maybe it'll be a Third Wave. The country has started the vaccination rollout but it has been slow due to  delayed deliveries. And many places like the amusement park (Liseberg), museums, library remain closed. However, I read Liseberg will reopen in the Spring (how they will keep safe, remains to be seen). Sweden has finally introduced some stricter measures after not doing much in the Spring last year. I spoke to a nurse at my kid's clinic and she thinks things will finally start getting back to normal in the fall. We continue to stick to our own household, do our everyday walks/playtime and we are sure to use masks if we go anywhere indoors. There are also more masks around the city. We don't eat indoors at all, but we do takeaways and eat them at home or out at the parks. Snacks are a must! Thanks for reading, stay safe and remember, don't forget your snacks!