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[Supporting Community] Volvo USA’s initiatives during COVID-19

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Swedes in the States
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Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation

Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation is a pediatric cancer charity, founded in 2005 by Alexandra Scott and her parents after Alexandra sadly passed from neuroblastoma in 2004. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, these families, who are already going through a hard time, have had an increasingly tougher time.

During the lockdown, Volvo and Alex’s Lemonade Stand have been supporting campaigns like a virtual 5k run, virtual grocery store runs, which all Volvo retailers in the United States, including headquarters, are participating in, and more.

Volvo has also vowed to match all donations made, up to $100k.

Bon Bon NYC Candy Delivery

Together with the three founders at the Swedish candy store, BonBon NYC – Selim, Leo, and Bobby, Volvo Studio Manhattan has delivered candy all throughout New York City to organizations and companies like the NYPD, Lenox Hill Hospital, and Colombia Presbyterian Hospital.

READ: Swedish Candy Store BonBon NYC Donates Scandinavian Candy to Healthcare Workers

Fabrique Bakery Swedish Pastry Delivery

In a joint effort by the Swedish American Chamber of Commerce New York City, Volvo Car USA, and Fabrique Bakery, teamed up to deliver well-needed motivation, encouragement and, of course, Swedish treats to their Gateway members currently scattered all over New York City.

Provide cars and rides to healthcare workers

With a fleet standing still due to the crisis, Volvo Cars USA decided to offer their cars to healthcare workers to facilitate transportation between their homes, airports, and hospitals.

Critical medical personnel currently dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic are exposing themselves to risk, both at work and in some cases by using public transport, taxis, and ride-hailing apps to get to their patients.

This is especially true for those who have temporarily moved to another city or state to answer the call to help some of our most impacted cities across the country.

Project Wingman

Founded by Anders Linström, Director of Communications at Norwegian Air, Project Wingman’s mission is to by utilizing airport lounges and give airline professionals the opportunity to volunteer their time to support healthcare workers.

Volvo Cars Manhattan has provided safe transportation for healthcare and airport workers as well as making sure that first responders can enjoy Swedish treats from Fabrique Bakery and BonBon.

How you can support:

Why Did So Many Swedish Care Homes Have a Coronavirus Outbreak?

By
Luda Berdnyk
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A recent report by the SKR (Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions) found that care homes in Sweden had a higher rate of coronavirus, as first reported by The Local.se.

Why is that?

Greger Bengtsson, head of elderly care at SKR, told The Local that the biggest factor was that the sector was not sufficiently prepared. The municipalities and care homes that acted the fastest have been most successful in limiting the spread of the virus.

“The virus arrived quite quickly. By the time it hit Sweden we knew we had to protect staff and residents in care homes, but we didn’t have the necessary protective materials. Most available protection went to hospitals. Only about a month ago [in May], we received the supplies and testing facilities we needed,” he explained. The first case of coronavirus was reported at the end of January. 

“In Sweden, care homes are part of the larger society,” Bengtsson said in an interview with The Local, “They’re open, and they’re open for a reason. Elderly people living in these homes shouldn’t be isolated from the rest of the country. But that also means that, if there’s a disease in society, this disease is bound to reach care homes.”

Besides a lack of supplies, legislation was also severely lagging behind. It was only on April 1st that the Swedish government decided to ban guests from visiting care homes. 

“Had we been faster, we might have prevented some cases”, Bengtsson noted. 

Interestingly enough, this correlates with a real-life example. Luleå, one of the quickest municipalities to act, banned guests on March 20th. Their care home death rate from Covid-19? Just one resident. Skåne, where 85% of care homes reported no Covid-19 infection at all, introduced a visitor ban about 2 weeks before the national one.

Other factors include hygienic standards and synergy between local and national authorities, especially during a crisis. 65.5 percent of homes had proper adherence to hygiene routines in 2020, which is up from just 46.5 percent ten years earlier. This means that there are many care homes that still suffer from insufficient hygiene, such as a lack of hand-washing and proper equipment.

However, looking at the big picture, there’s a surprising twist: there wasn’t that big of a difference in care home deaths this year. 

The total number of deaths that happened in care homes across Sweden from January through April 2020 is just over 11,000. During the exact same period in 2019, around 10,000 care home residents passed away, according to research conducted by Thomas Lindén, a department director at Sweden’s National Board of Health and Welfare.

“Every death is a tragedy, [but] we should also keep track of the bigger perspective,” Lindén said, adding that “there are more fatalities this year, but the number is still within a similar order” as previous years.

For more information:

READ: The Local.se – Swedish care homes’ response to coronavirus investigated in new report.

READ (in Swedish): SKR – Fakta om äldreomsorgen i ljuset om coronapandemin.

H&M Reports Major Loss Amidst Coronavirus Crisis

By
Luda Berdnyk
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h&m swedes in the states
h&m swedes in the states

Swedish clothing brand H&M just released its quarterly report, and it isn’t looking good: the company reported a shocking drop in profits in the second quarter.

The Covid-19 crisis forced H&M to close about 80% of its shops around the world, especially in profitable markets such as Europe and Asia. At the height of the crisis, H&M stated that its net loss fell to around 5 billion SEK ($535 million USD). 

“When the majority of the stores were temporarily closed in the second quarter, we focused on redirecting product flow to our digital channels,” recently-appointed CEO Helena Helmersson said in the quarterly report.

The strategy worked: From February to May 2020, overall sales fell 50 percent compared with a year earlier to 28.7 billion kronor. However, online sales rose 32 percent during that same time period.

Although H&M’s online store has been its saving grace, the crisis isn’t over: now the company has to rearrange their entire business plan. H&M was planning to close 130 stores and open 165 more, but this year they expect to close 170 stores and open less than 130. 

At the moment, around 350 stores are closed, which makes up 7% of H&M’s global total. 

“The second quarter will naturally be very negatively impacted by the corona situation and will, therefore, be loss-making,” the company noted.

However, CEO Helmersson ended on a positive note: “The fact that we have acted quickly to counter the negative effects of Covid-19 and that we are speeding up the transformation of the H&M Group makes me convinced that we will come out of the current crisis stronger.”

Sweden’s Crown Princess Victoria to Inaugurate This Year’s Pride Parade

By
Luda Berdnyk
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This year’s Stockholm Pride Parade is headed for a great start, especially since it was revealed that Crown Princess Victoria will be this year’s opening speaker. 

“It means a lot to us and gives an important signal internationally,” says Vix Herjeryd, head of the organization. 

Stockholm Pride, which is being digitally organized this year due to the coronavirus crisis, is to kick off on July 31st. 

This will be the first time that a member from the Swedish royal family participates in Stockholm Pride. 

“It feels incredibly nice that the Crown Princess wants to launch our Digital Pride Parade and stand up for the rights of LGBTQ people at a time when we think it is needed more than ever.” continues Herjeryd. 

The broadcast will run between 12:00 to 14:00, with actor Robert Fux and comedian Petrina Solange running the show. Crown Princess Victoria will be doing her presentation on August 1st. The digital pride parade will have many famous LGBT profiles, artists, and community contributions. 

Gunn Lundemo, project manager for Stockholm Pride Summer Stream, is excited for the event: “We have put together a fantastic program and it will be both a colorful and especially important manifestation. We hope that people throughout Sweden will participate and show support and sense of pride even at a distance.” 

If you want to watch, there will be a special live stream on the website www.stockholmpride.org. Guests are also invited to check-in at the parade event on Facebook and use the hashtag #taggaochflagga to digitally participate.

Will you be attending this year’s (digital) pride parade? Let us know in the comments! 

Featured image: / Elisabeth Toll, The Royal Court of Sweden

Fredrik Eklund Recounts Struggles Being Together in Touching Tribute to Husband

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Swedes in the States
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Everyone’s favorite Swedish realtor, Fredrik Eklund, recently posted a heartwarming tribute to his husband and best friend, Derek Kaplan.

Celebrating the couple’s 10 year anniversary since they first met on the island of Mykonos in Greece, Eklund recounts the struggle of getting Derek Kaplan to the United States, despite being married, since their same-sex marriage wasn’t federally recognized in 2013. Derek Kaplan, who is a British and Zimbabwean national, was at the time living in London.

Fredrik write on his Instagram: “I’ll never forget when our marriage was accepted by everyone in the US, that June when people were dancing on the streets of New York, it was actually the same week as our wedding episode aired. And you could come home permanently.”

View this post on Instagram

Here we are, no filters, just us, two husbands celebrating 10 years together. Babe I think we did it? In fact we did the impossible. When I knocked on your shoulder summer of 2010 in Mykonos we were so young, you were an aspiring artist living in London with a car company, like an Uber before Uber, and I was an up-and-coming real estate agent in NY with what some might say too big dreams. During our first night together ? the very initial contract from Bravo came in via fax at the hotel and I tried to explain to you why I was excited about it. We married as soon as it became legal in the State of New York. But you could still not stay, because gay marriage wasn’t legal on a federal level. We tried to be understanding of the change happening while giving respects to the previous generations fighting for this basic right. Every three weeks you had to leave back to the UK. I’ll never forget when our marriage was accepted by everyone in the US, that June when people were dancing on the streets of New York, it was actually the same week as our wedding episode aired. And you could come home permanently. It might feel long ago today, but I look at our kids and I can see all the struggles back then in a good way. You had Kai who I instantly loved and I wanted kids of our own too and told you about the dreams of this little girl I called Milla as long as I could remember. But then when our surrogate Misty became pregnant with twins I started seeing visions of a little boy and girl holding hands in the distance – she was going to have a brother! 10 years later you are my Big D, my sex on legs, my best friend and my daddy angel. We traveled the world together, literally, and spiritually. Kids, dogs, nannies, our Monkey, big families, careers, Stockholm, London, New York and now Los Angeles. You are always so kind, so helpful, so generous, even when you are overwhelmed which is easy with me. You always take the time to listen and never, ever judge. I’m so incredibly thankful that you picked me – you could have had anyone. Love you ?‍?‍?‍? #pridemonth

A post shared by Fredrik Eklund (@fredrikeklundny) on

10 years since the day they met, the couple now live in Los Angeles, and are happy parents to twins Milla and Freddy, who frequently melt hearts around the world through Fredrik’s Instagram.

“It might feel long ago today, but I look at our kids and I can see all the struggles back then in a good way. You had Kai who I instantly loved and I wanted kids of our own too and told you about the dreams of this little girl I called Milla as long as I could remember. But then when our surrogate Misty became pregnant with twins I started seeing visions of a little boy and girl holding hands in the distance – she was going to have a brother!” he said in the post.

Fredrik ended the touching tribute saying: “You always take time to listen and never, ever judge. I’m so incredibly thankful that you picked me – you could have had anyone. Love you #pridemonth”.

Happy anniversary to Fredrik and Derek, and Happy Pride month to everyone who is fighting for their right to be treated equally.

Going Fishing? Here are some of the best lakes to visit in Sweden

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Swedes in the States
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Sweden is known for its stunning natural beauty, with over 100,000 lakes and miles of coastline that offer some of the best fishing opportunities in Europe. 

One of the most popular fishing activities in Sweden is cold-water bass fishing. The thrill of catching a large bass surrounded by the grand Nordic nature is unlike any other, making it an exciting and rewarding experience for fishing enthusiasts.

There are stunning fishing lakes in Sweden, Vättern and Siljan being one of the most popular. But the ultimate queen of lakes for fishing bass in cold water is definitely Vänern. 

Vättern Lake

Vättern Lake is located in central Sweden and is known for its crystal clear waters and stunning views. It is the second-largest lake in Sweden and home to a variety of fish species, including bass. The lake is surrounded by forests and hills, providing a perfect backdrop for fishing enthusiasts. The best time to catch bass in Vättern Lake is during the spring and late fall.

Siljan Lake

Siljan Lake is located in the heart of Sweden’s Dalarna region and is a popular destination for bass fishing enthusiasts. The lake is surrounded by picturesque landscapes and is one of the deepest lakes in Sweden, offering plenty of opportunities for anglers to catch a big bass. The best time to fish for bass in Siljan Lake is during the spring and early summer months.

Vänern Lake 

The best fishing lake in Sweden for cold water bass fishing is Lake Vänern, located in the western part of the country. It is the largest lake in Sweden and the third-largest lake in Europe, offering endless opportunities for fishing enthusiasts. 

With its crystal-clear waters and diverse marine life, Lake Vänern is an excellent spot for both recreational and professional anglers to fish.

Lake Vänern is accessible from various locations, including Karlstad, Lidköping, and Mariestad. Trolling is the most popular method of fishing here, with anglers using lures like crankbaits and spoons to catch fish. 

The lake is home to a variety of fish, including pike, perch, salmon, and of course, bass. The cold water bass fishing season typically runs from late April to early June and again from September to November, and this is the best time to visit.

To fish in Lake Vänern, you must obtain a permit from the local authorities. Fees vary depending on the duration of the permit and the type of fishing. It is recommended to purchase permits in advance to avoid any hassle on the day of fishing.

What sets Lake Vänern apart from other fishing locations in Sweden is the beautiful scenery and backdrop. The lake is surrounded by forests and hills, providing a peaceful and serene environment for anglers to enjoy. There are also several amenities available, including camping sites, cabins, and restaurants, making it an ideal spot for a weekend fishing trip.

 

SAS to Welcome Back CPH to SFO Route in July

By
Luda Berdnyk
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Scandinavian Airlines recently announced some great news for eager travelers: They are planning to increase the number of flights in Scandinavia and Europe, as well as to/from the US. 

One of the routes they will be bringing back is the Copenhagen (CPH) – San Francisco (SFO) route: “As of July 2nd [we will] start flying to San Francisco from Copenhagen, and in addition, increase the number of departures from New York and Chicago to Copenhagen up to five weekly departures, starting July 1st.”, said Max Knagge, General Manager of SAS USA.

In total, the new route program will see an increase in capacity from 30 aircraft in June to over 40 in July. SAS is also slowly starting to roll out old routes that were canceled due to coronavirus. As stated in the press release, Knagge noted, ”We are continuously following the development and will, as the situation evolves, evaluate the reopening of other routes and destinations to/from the US.”

SAS is also resuming international flights from one of their main hubs, Oslo, to a number of destinations, including Reykjavík, and continuing its operations to Finland and London from Stockholm.

However, travel isn’t going back to normal just yet. 

“As restrictions and inbound travel rules are relaxed, we are seeing a rise in demand for travel. However, it remains just as important that travelers keep themselves informed of the rules that apply to each country and destination at all times […] We would also like to remind you of the measures that SAS has implemented in order to reduce the risk of infection spreading and the changes that these measures entail for your journey,” notes Freja Annamatz, Head of Media Relations for SAS. The airline recently came out with an online brochure on how to stay safe while traveling, as well as how SAS is doing their part.

Are you excited for this new route? Let us know in the comments! 

These Are Iceland’s 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites

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Luda Berdnyk
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No trip to Iceland is complete without visiting one of its natural wonders. With so many to choose from, we decided to consult the UNESCO World Heritage list to start. Although there are only three points on the list, we believe in quality over quantity — so let’s take an in-depth look at each spot and check them out! 

Þingvellir National Park

Copyright: © TTF Casper Tybjerg
Copyright: © OUR PLACE The World Heritage Collection//Pall Stefansson

This is the only cultural site on Iceland’s UNESCO list, and for good reason: it was the site where the Icelandic parliament held their annual meeting from 930AD to 1798AD, before moving indoors to the Althing. 

Located in Bláskógabyggð, about 40 km northeast of Reykjavík, Þingvellir National Park is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Iceland and one of the three key attractions on the famous Golden Circle route. It lies in a rift valley between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, and has a multitude of things to do: there are hiking trails, such as the Execution Trail (where executions took place back in the 1600s — but don’t worry, it’s completely safe now!), walks along the Drekkingarhylur river, and even scuba diving between the two tectonic plates at Silfra Lake. 

Surtsey

Copyright: © Sigurdur Thrainsson

Now let’s take a little trip off of one island and onto another one! Surtsey (“Surtr’s island” in Icelandic) is a volcanic island located off the southern coast of Iceland and is considered to be the southernmost point of Iceland.

Interestingly enough, Surtsey is fairly new, as it was created by a volcanic eruption in 1963. After it cooled down, the newly-formed island was named after a fire creature, Surtur, from Norse mythology. Three French journalists from Paris Match magazines landed on the island a few weeks after it was formed and only stayed on for about 15 minutes before violent explosions caused them to leave. The journalists jokingly claimed French sovereignty over the island, but Iceland quickly asserted that the new island belonged to it. A funny story for everyone except the Icelandic government at that time. 😉 

Nowadays, Surtsey is used to study ecology and biology that naturally occurs on and around the island. In fact, only a few scientists are permitted to land on Surtsey — the rest can only observe what’s happening from a small plane. This rule allows the natural ecological succession for the island to proceed without interference from outside forces. And, thanks to this rule, Surtsey was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008 in recognition of its great scientific value.

Vatnajökull National Park

Copyright: © Snorri Baldursson
Copyright: © Snorri Baldursson

Finally, we have the ‘youngest’ member on our list — the Vatnajökull National Park was inscribed as a World Heritage Site on July 5th, 2019! Located in the southern region of Iceland, this National Park is home to the largest glaciers, highest mountain, picturesque landscapes, and stunning waterfalls. Popular tourist attractions include the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, Svartifoss waterfall (which is extremely popular, especially with wedding photographers and travel bloggers), the Askja caldera, and the black sand dunes.

Which of these three spots would you like to visit? Let us know in the comments below! 

Featured image: © Snorri Baldursson

Norwegian Air Sued Over Delayed Refunds

By
Luda Berdnyk
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Amidst the coronavirus pandemic, airlines were put in a tough position: with almost all flights virtually being canceled and airplanes having to stay grounded for months, many went bankrupt or had to ask their respective governments for money in order to stay afloat.

While a few airlines were able to process refunds quickly, many other airlines had difficulties, with customers claiming to have to jump through hoops before they could cash out their canceled or rescheduled flights.

Multiple airlines, including Norwegian Air Shuttle, might now have to pay the price for their delays. Bursor & Fisher, a New York-based law firm, is leading a class-action lawsuit against the airline over its actions during the coronavirus crisis. As first reported by the Norwegian news outlet, Bergens Tidende, the lawsuit states that Norwegian Airlines failed to refund customers whose flights have been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In fact, it is estimated that the airline owes customers somewhere between $200 million and $400 million in refunds, according to Bergens Tidende. Norwegian Airlines has until June 22 to provide a response to the lawsuit.

However, Norwegian isn’t the only airline in hot water. Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) is also reported to owe customers around $725 million. The company noted that flights that were canceled in March will be reimbursed in June, while the ones that were canceled in April and May will be compensated in September.

READ: SAS to Resume Their U.S. Routes in June

John Eckhoff, Press Manager for SAS, assured customers that they will receive a refund. Although SAS was granted $340 million in government aid from Sweden and Denmark, the airline is currently working on a plan to raise more capital.

In the European Union, Norway, and the U.S., airlines are required to refund passengers for canceled flights within seven days. Although Norwegian Airlines declined to comment, the airline’s Press Manager, Andreas Hjornholm, previously said that they were “sorry for the delay in making refunds, assuring that those who asked for and were entitled to a refund would get one.”

Despite the setbacks, Norwegian Chief Executive Officer Jacob Schram is optimistic:

“There is no doubt that air traffic will bounce back and we will be perfectly positioned strategically and geographically to take advantage of this.” 

U.S. Consulate Opens in Greenland

By
Luda Berdnyk
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0

After more than 67 years, Greenland once again has a U.S. consulate on its soil. The United States has officially opened a consulate in Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, on June 10. The last U.S. consulate in Nuuk shut down in 1953. 

“The consulate is another positive sign of the strong collaboration between the U.S. government and the Greenlandic and Danish governments,” noted U.S. Ambassador to Denmark, Carla Sands, in a statement. 

At the end of April, Greenland stated it had accepted an offer from the United States to the tune of $12.1 million that will be used for mining, tourism, and education in Greenland. It should be noted that the country is rich in natural resources, including oil, gas, zinc, gold, and uranium. Later on, in August 2019, Trump brought up the idea of buying Greenland. However, both Greenland and Denmark quickly rejected the idea.

READ: Things Just Got Very Nasty Between Donald Trump And Danish PM After Greenland Rejection

“On behalf of the U.S. government, I am excited to begin this new chapter in our relationship with Greenland and the entire Kingdom of Denmark by re-establishing our consulate in Nuuk, Greenland,” Ms. Sands stated. 

Read more about U.S. Greenland/Danish relations on U.S. Embassy in Denmark website.

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