Global Protests Against COVID Controls... "Let's Burn Masks"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Protests against government controls to block COVID-19 erupted over the weekend in various parts of the world.

According to foreign media reports, 300 to 500 people gathered without masks at Medborgarplatsen Square in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, to protest government quarantine guidelines. The protest was organized by a group called "Freedom Sweden," which criticizes COVID-19 quarantine guidelines as restricting human freedom, and local media reported that far-right activists and vaccine opponents participated. Police moved to disperse the gathering as the number of attendees exceeded the level allowed under quarantine guidelines, injuring six officers in the process.

Sweden initially adopted a strategy of allowing the virus to spread to achieve herd immunity instead of active control measures at the onset of COVID-19. Herd immunity refers to a state where the majority of members in a specific group develop immunity, preventing further virus spread. However, as the number of confirmed cases and deaths surged compared to neighboring countries that implemented control policies, Sweden effectively admitted policy failure and shifted to strict restrictions.

In Austria, anti-government protests were held for the same reason on the same day. According to foreign media, thousands participated in a protest organized by the far-right Freedom Party in Vienna, Austria. They criticized government restrictions such as the closure of restaurants and cafes and called for the resignation of Chancellor Sebastian Kurz.

Austria lowered lockdown levels last month, resuming school attendance and allowing shops and museums to operate, but some restrictions remained. Most protesters did not wear masks and did not observe social distancing. According to local media, some far-right groups, including neo-Nazis, also participated. Police used tear gas to disperse those violating quarantine guidelines, and several people were arrested during the process.

On the same day, at least 100 people gathered in front of the Idaho state legislature in the United States, burning masks to protest quarantine measures. Videos of the protest posted on social media show adults urging children to throw masks into the fire.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the globe, anti-government protests broke out for completely different reasons. On the 5th, hundreds protested in Asuncion, the capital of Paraguay in Latin America, against shortages of key treatment drugs and COVID-19 vaccines in public hospitals. At least one person died in clashes between protesters and police. Another anti-government protest was planned for that evening. President Mario Abdo announced that the cabinet would resign en masse in response to the protests.