Space and place for health and care – Nationalist discourses in Swedish daily press during the first year of COVID-19

TL;DR

This paper explores how nationalist ideas about space and health were expressed in Swedish newspapers during the first year of the pandemic.

Contribution

It identifies three key nationalist discourses in the Swedish media related to health and care during the pandemic.

Findings

A discourse of national unity against the pandemic threat was prominent.

Later, tensions emerged due to government uncertainty and conflicting narratives.

Nationalist ideas influenced how people viewed health, care, and social responsibility.

Abstract

Sweden’s strategy during COVID-19 with restrictions but no firm closure of the society surprised the rest of the world and was questioned, not least by neighbouring countries. This article analyses public discourses on space and place for health and care in the Swedish daily press during the first year of the pandemic, 2020. Critical discourse analysis was conducted on daily press newspaper articles to approach issues of space, place, health and care during the COVID-10 pandemic. The findings suggest three main discourses. First, a powerful discourse on unity against the threat is articulated, urging citizens in Sweden to be loyal in the national space. Secondly, an affirming national reconstructing discourse is manifested, related to constructions of borders of national space but also in relation to places of family life and social contacts to ‘flatten the curve’ and stay healthy. Thirdly, later in the period the overarching discourse of the nation and its loyal citizens was torn apart and increasing tensions were articulated due to, as it appeared, the uncertain actions from the government. This study adds to the literature on a theoretical and practical level. Raising awareness on nationalist discourses in relation to place, space, health, and care could prove important in combating inequalities in the local society as well as when cooperating on an international level.

•Use of CDA to analyse newspaper articles on place and health during COVID-19.•The activation of ‘banal’ and ‘everyday’ nationalism.•Challenges to the Swedish self-image as modern, unique, and superior.•Sweden became a battle of surviving the threat, between the known and the unknown.•Health and care during COVID-19 was above all a matter for the Swedish nation and its citizens.

Use of CDA to analyse newspaper articles on place and health during COVID-19.

The activation of ‘banal’ and ‘everyday’ nationalism.

Challenges to the Swedish self-image as modern, unique, and superior.

Sweden became a battle of surviving the threat, between the known and the unknown.

Health and care during COVID-19 was above all a matter for the Swedish nation and its citizens.