In a sense, Sweden has become a coronavirus touchstone. Critics point out that Sweden's per capita COVID-19 death rate is higher than several of its Scandanivan neighbors?"Finland, Denmark, and Norway. Proponents point out that Sweden's death rate is lower than many of its European neighbors?"Belgium, France, the United Kingdom, Spain, and Italy?"who initiated strict lockdowns. Proponents also point out that Sweden has "flattened the curve," noting that the nation of 10 million has not seen its hospitals overrun or experienced medical equipment shortages.