Special Report

Shutdown: The Coronavirus

Public transport now runs on a weekend timetable which means a reduced amount of trains during morning rush hour. Even though people are advised to avoid traveling and keep a physical distance of 5 feet, it hardly helps to reduce the amount of travelers. April 15, 2020. Photo by Tatiana Kireeva

Swedish strategy in fighting coronavirus is completely different from those adopted in other countries. The deaths per million is higher than in the U.S. but the response hasn’t been as aggressive. Sweden has left its schools, gyms, cafes, bars and restaurants open.

There have been only recommendations, no orders, from health authorities on hand washing, social distancing and protecting people over the age of 70 by limiting contact with them. Swedish government issued a ban on public gatherings of more than 50 people. The ban includes demonstrations, religious practices, concerts, theatre and movie shows.

Also the government advised to stay at home when showing symptoms, work from home when possible and avoid unnecessary travel. Despite the recommendations, many are still going out. 

This is Stockholm during COVID-19.

Morning rush hour in Stockholm’s bus during the pandemic. April 15, 2020. Photo by Tatiana Kireeva

Since the ban does not include gatherings in public transportation, shopping malls, or parks, many choose to meet outside. April 26, 2020. Photo by Tatiana Kireeva

Social distancing during lunchtime on the first warm days. Due to the cold winters and a short, sometimes only 5-hour daytime, Swedes are eating and sitting outside as soon as the first sun comes out. April 22, 2020. Photo by Tatiana Kireeva

Each year a ceremony called “mösspåtagning” is held in Swedish high schools, where senior students are singing songs and putting on their student hats. This year the official ceremony was canceled. Instead, students met outside and went to the bars. Medborgarplatsen square, April 24, 2020. Photo by Tatiana Kireeva

Students celebrating “mösspåtagning” at three bars next to each other at Medborgarplatsen, Stockholm. April 24, 2020. Photo by Tatiana Kireeva

Cafés, bars and restaurants are allowed table service only, in order to avoid long lines. But the restrictions are hardly followed. A restaurant on Strandvägen, Stockholm on a Friday night. April 17, 2020. Photo by Tatiana Kireeva

A restaurant in Stockholm’s old town on a Friday night. April 24, 2020. Photo by Tatiana Kireeva

A bar at Stureplan, Stockholm on a Friday night. April 24, 2020. Photo by Tatiana Kireeva

Many people are exercising outside and hanging out in parks, but rarely keeping the recommended 5-feet distance from each other. Vasastan, Stockholm on a sunny Sunday evening. April 28, 2020. Photo by Tatiana Kireeva

On a grey day there are less people as usual. Observatorielunden, a park in Central Stockholm. April 25, 2020. Photo by Tatiana Kireeva

This is a project of  Lori Grinker’s  NYU graduate photojournalism class.

Author


Tags


Other Stories in Special Report: Shutdown: The Coronavirus

Life returns to the East Village

Quincy Walter May 5, 2021

Reopening for Ramadan

Hassan Abbas May 4, 2021

And the band played on

Xavier Bartaburu May 2, 2021

Queens residents mourn at Covid vigil

Annie Burky May 2, 2021

Floating for Free: COVID and the Staten Island Ferry

Trish Rooney May 2, 2021

COVID-19 has left many Black and Hispanic landlords in serious debt

Norah Hogan April 24, 2021

Village East movie theater reopens to the public

Inga Parkel April 13, 2021

Chinese adoptions halted by COVID

Inga Parkel March 24, 2021

Remote is the new workplace normal

Courtney Guarino March 24, 2021

One year of COVID-19 in New York City

Michelle Diaz March 16, 2021

COVID long haulers deal with lingering symptoms and doubt

Kaity Assaf March 5, 2021

Pandemic Weddings

Chuyan Jiang March 2, 2021

Pandemic fatigue 101

Chuyan Jiang February 28, 2021

Yankee Stadium becomes COVID-19 vaccine site for Bronx residents only

Michelle Diaz February 24, 2021

The queer community rallies behind their sacred spaces closed because of COVID-19

Inga Parkel February 23, 2021

Street vendors struggle as New Yorkers and tourists stay home

Norah Hogan February 13, 2021

Keeping the faith in COVID-19

Courtney Guarino February 3, 2021

Little Italy’s restaurants need indoor dining to survive pandemic

Michelle Diaz February 2, 2021

Stray pets find homes and love during pandemic

Inga Parkel February 1, 2021

No Actors, But the Show Goes On

James Pothen December 5, 2020

New York City, a place of refuge 

Edith Rousselot December 4, 2020

Commuting in a pandemic world

Michelle Diaz December 3, 2020

Battling food insecurities during a pandemic

Courtney Guarino December 3, 2020

Adaptation

Justin McGown December 3, 2020

Honk!: Cars earn a special spot in 2020

Luana Harumi December 3, 2020

Working out looks very different during a pandemic

Chuyan Jiang December 2, 2020

One kitchen’s transformation in the age of isolation

Isabel Beer December 2, 2020

Nursing homes are filled with sadness and loss during pandemic shut down

Inga Parkel December 1, 2020

The show goes on

Norah Hogan December 1, 2020

Loyal members help keep independent cinemas afloat

Courtney Guarino December 1, 2020

Musicians deal with the reality of no live shows as covid takes center stage

Paola Michelle Ortiz December 1, 2020

 Black Friday’s Aftermath

Sughnen Yongo November 30, 2020

The Spirit of Little Haiti

Savannah Daniels October 14, 2020

Small business owners hope for future relief

Courtney Guarino October 2, 2020

Brooklyn Book Festival held virtually

Chuyan Jiang September 28, 2020

NYC Restaurant owners worry about maintaining business during winter 

Isabel Beer September 27, 2020

The pandemic is causing mental health struggles for many Latinos

Paola Michelle Ortiz September 24, 2020

Politically divided family can agree on one thing, rallies are bad during a pandemic

Michelle Diaz September 23, 2020

New Yorkers are vulnerable to mental issues due to pandemic

Sughnen Yongo September 23, 2020

Healthcare professionals struggle with Trump’s decisions during pandemic

Tori Luecking September 23, 2020

Some Americans Say “Not So Fast” on Operation Warp Speed

James Pothen September 23, 2020

Trump voters unfazed by morality of Trump’s Covid response

Norah Hogan September 22, 2020

Trump rallies continue, despite the rising Covid-19 death toll

Isabel Beer September 22, 2020

Latinos weigh in on President Trump’s management of the pandemic

Paola Michelle Ortiz September 21, 2020

Fast track vaccine causes fear

Kaity Assaf September 21, 2020

It’s business as usual at McSorley’s Old Ale House

Tori Luecking September 20, 2020

Trump defiance to hold indoor rallies amidst COVID-19 sparks polarized responses 

Courtney Guarino September 20, 2020

NYC Cafes and restaurants try and survive the pandemic

Isabel Beer September 19, 2020

A typical afternoon at Shade Bar NYC

Kaity Assaf September 19, 2020

West Village staple, Caffe Reggio, remains open for outdoor dining in the wake of coronavirus restrictions 

Norah Hogan September 19, 2020