(6 Apr 2020) LEAD IN:
A Swedish NGO is using a smartphone app, originally designed for search and rescue operations, to help vulnerable groups amid the coronavirus outbreak.
While most European countries have adopted strict restrictions of movement and personal freedom, Sweden's strategy in fighting the pandemic appears comparatively more relaxed.
STORY-LINE:
It was originally designed to help search and rescue operations, but the IRO rescue app is now being used for a different task - helping vulnerable groups during the coronavirus outbreak.
Swedish NGO FIKK is coordinating volunteer work to assist vulnerable groups, such as helping with grocery shopping for the elderly.
FIKK has over 55,000 followers on various Sweden-based Facebook pages. Over 14,400 people have now downloaded the rescue app.
"We have an application form that you can fill in on the website, and we also have an app that you can download, if you are a person who would like to help," explains Daniel Brodin, head of operations at FIKK.
"So, that is the way we are gathering the people in Sweden."
As of Monday (6th April 11 GMT) more than 400 people are reported to have died from COVID-19 in Sweden and the country has around 7000 confirmed cases.
While most European countries have adopted strict restrictions of movement and personal freedom, Sweden's strategy in fighting the pandemic appears comparatively more relaxed.
Swedish authorities have advised the public to practice social distancing, but schools, bars and restaurants are still open, and only gatherings of more than 50 people have been banned.
Over the weekend, outdoor bars and restaurants were busy, and many people flocked to parks and forests around the capital, Stockholm.
Some scientists have criticized the Swedish Public Health Agency's approach as irresponsible during a worldwide pandemic.
"The government is trusting the people to be careful and not contain (contaminate) each-other with the COVID 19, and they have not locked down the schools," says Brodin.
71-year-old pensioner Harry Sepp has been using the IRO Rescue app to gain assistance from volunteers. Brodin brings him some groceries.
Sepp lives close to Stockholm's Spanga and Kista neighbourhoods, both of which have reported several cases of COVID-19.
"I'm not going out on the town or anything because since I'm in the age (group) where the risk is higher and also I have a heart problem and I think that could be very unfortunate if I got this flu (virus)," says Sepp.
"This is very excellent, as it is, the help I got. Otherwise, I would have been walking out, around all this area, down to the store, meeting a lot of people."
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