Anders Tegnell is a Swedish physician, specialising in infectious disease and civil servant, and the current state epidemiologist of Sweden. He has, in a very short time, become one of the world’s most debated men. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sweden has chosen a strategy that differs from its neighbouring countries; there has been no lock down. Tegnell has been at the forefront of this strategy, calling for the protection of the elderly and vulnerable while the rest of society goes almost as normal. We look forward to hearing his reflections on the city’s role in epidemics.