So how are things in Sweden anyway…?

Sunday… Tomorrow I will go into my fourth week of remote/semi remote work. To say the least, social distancing is not one of my faves and it’s hitting me quite hard. But luckily the spring has arrived, and I’m finally in the mood for playing Golf. It’s been around 3-4 years since I was last active so it’s going to be a long way back. But I would think this season will be a season where a lot of people will dust off their golf clubs and start playing. What else is there to do this summer?!

We in Sweden have the eyes of the world on us. We’ve chosen a different approach to how we handle the virus crisis, Covid19, and are probably one of few countries not on lockdown. Having said that, we are still hindered from living our normal lives and it is very noticeable in the society. I live in the south of Sweden, and we have it yet to come, the storm. But how come we in Sweden have this different approach to the virus? Firstly, we have expert authorities calling the shots and a self-responsibility way of thinking that is in our culture and it’s always been like that. Not saying that every civilian is following the recommendations and not saying that the government, and our Prime Minister, is sat back and relaxing in all of this. We are also in these times to put our welfare system to the test, and a very demanding test no less, that will show if we still should be as proud about our welfare as we are and have been. All the safety nets we as Swedes have living here will come to show, and how much of a security it actually brings to the ones that will, and already are, in need of it. Also, the measures the government have taken regarding keeping businesses up and running as much as they can and securing people who have and will be made redundant in their workplace, I find reassuring. Even though it would still affect me greatly if I would be made redundant at this point. My employer has decided on receiving the governmental finance support which means that we, the employees, have to reduce our working hours, and as a start down to working 80 % short term with a minimum loss of income. Nurses in Sweden have also got a 100 % increase of their salaries to start working more than fulltime, at this stage and what I’ve heard 8 hours more per week (48 hours in total per week).

Very Strange Times to say the least…

And it’s so quiet everywhere…

This will for sure be the end to what have been and a start on something new. At least what I think. In all of this most of us are being very creative, learning how to relax, take a step back and to not stress through normal life routines. We are learning how to cope in new ways and with new routines. People also seem to be more friendly in these times and understanding. It’s a time for us all to take care of each other and give a second thought to how we treat others. Maybe also acknowledging that friend that is sat alone in all of this, and now could be totally excluded from all social life.

With that said, I’m for the second weekend in a row being social at the golf course. Might buy a new golf club today as well. I’m in need of something between my iron 5 and my driver, which I’ve said I would wait to buy. But I think it’s time, and I will go for a fairwaywood (4 or 3). Time to jump into the shower, get golf ready, pack my lunchbox, go past the golf store and then get out in the sunny Sunday lovely spring weather and hit some balls!