A high commissioner without a mask in an enclosed space, a head of state who coughs in his hand or does not respect physical distancing, ministers who hug each other ... For several weeks, scenes of political leaders flouting measures that they advocate in the face of Covid-19 are multiplying.
This Tuesday, François Bayrou was criticized for not having put on his mask when Jean Castex announced that he was himself a case in contact.
After several tens of seconds, the brand new High Commissioner for Planning decided to unfold a mask stuffed into his jacket pocket.
"When you have a sufficient distance, of more than a meter and a half or two meters between you, normally there is no contamination", he defended himself afterwards.
Jean Castex: "I will immediately undergo a test" pic.twitter.com/WXQ6LTOC0k
- BFMTV (@BFMTV) September 8, 2020
At the same time, the images of Emmanuel Macron pulling out his mask to cough in his hand and drink a glass of water in front of high school students in Clermont-Ferrand (Puy-de-Dôme) caused a lot of reaction.
Two months earlier, there had been warm hugs between the new Minister of Justice, Eric Dupond-Moretti, and his predecessor Nicole Belloubet during the handover.
The same day, it was impossible to respect the barrier gestures at the Ministry of Agriculture, due to the smallness of the room where the ceremony took place.
VIDEO. When Macron fails to choke in front of high school students ... because of his mask
An obvious fact, first of all, summarized by the researcher in social psychology at the School of Advanced Studies in Public Health, Jocelyn Raude: "Politicians are like ordinary people, with behaviors similar to those of the general public. Population.
»No wonder, then, that some of them sometimes relax their attention to respecting barrier gestures.
“Studies show that there is a relatively high misuse of the mask, including among well-meaning people.
For example, 15% to 20% of people say they take it off when they call, ”says the specialist in infectious diseases.
Duty of exemplarity
Nevertheless, observers agree that political leaders, in particular ministers and elected representatives of the majority, have a duty to set an example on this subject.
Especially since wearing a mask is compulsory in companies, schools, shops, public transport and in more and more cities in public spaces.
“You can't tell people to
do this!
and don't do it yourself.
Citizens expect consistency in the discourse of political leaders, which has varied greatly depending on the state of knowledge and the stocks of masks, ”points out Franck Cochoy.
This professor of sociology at the University of Toulouse-Jean-Jaurès knows what he is talking about, having worked since the start of confinement on the relationship of society to the mask.
He even launched a new call for testimonials from citizens on this subject.
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“In the eyes of the population, all opinion leaders have a duty to set an example, not just politicians.
From the moment they impose things on us, there is a popular expectation that they will be the first to set an example, ”adds Jocelyn Raude.
At Matignon, we also agree that “ministers have a duty to set an example”.
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So, why these scenes of release?
Other factors may come into play. Communicator Philippe Moreau Chevrolet points to a possible "culture of impunity" within a part of the political class, as is sometimes mentioned in legal matters.
“Some are used to making or passing laws and then not respecting them.
But in health terms, it is disastrous if they do not set an example, ”he says.
The Prime Minister's entourage denies any "relaxation" and ensures that "everyone (bailiffs, advisers, ministers, etc.) wears their mask in Matignon and in the ministries".
The only exception: during press conferences, such as that of Jean Castex accompanied by two ministers on August 27, the one who speaks in front of the microphone can reveal his face.
Image question
Another possible reason is the image politicians want to show.
When Emmanuel Macron went to Beirut in early August, shortly after the gigantic explosion, there was no distancing during his discussions with the inhabitants of several affected neighborhoods.
"Very clearly, when he wanted to make a historic walkabout in Lebanon, he needed to make an image", considers Philippe Moreau Chevrolet.
Emmanuel Macron adjusts his mask during his visit to a district of Beirut on August 6, 2020. AFP
“When he got off the plane, he was masked and he bowed to greet other people without approaching.
Because he is very aware of how his attitude is decoded.
But once he was in the street, when he met the population, everything jumped up: he touched the people, spoke to them directly.
It is the classic policy which takes over, judge for his part Franck Cochoy.
This shows that it is very difficult for those in power, including for a president or ministers, and even when they are adorned with good sanitary intentions, to respect all the measures they recommend ”.
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In August like this Tuesday against high school students, the possibility that Emmanuel Macron was positive (and therefore potentially contagious) is low because of the many tests and health security measures to which he is required.
But "the French are looking at political leaders to know what attitude they should have," insists Philippe Moreau Chevrolet.
"I tell them to respect the instructions"
In France, the main opposition leaders also recommend respecting barrier gestures.
The anti-masks claimed are, for the moment, confined to Facebook groups.
"I tell them to respect the instructions", hammered Marine Le Pen on France Inter this Wednesday morning.
“The political class in France seems unanimous.
This is also quite characteristic of southern Europe.
In other countries, the opposition parties sometimes express much more reluctance concerning the wearing of a mask ”, underlines Jocelyn Raude.
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Consequently, the elected representatives of the opposition can also be confused when they are caught in the apparent offense of non-compliance with barrier gestures.
This Wednesday, the Chained Duck told of a "gala dinner" organized by Marine Le Pen with "all the executives of her party" but "without any mask", in Fréjus, on September 5.
“We were at the restaurant.
Like all people, we do not wear a mask when we are at the restaurant, ”defended the president of the National Rally.
“This does not only concern the top of the State but also all elected officials.
Remember the evening of the second round of municipal elections!
», Also loose Franck Cochoy, referring to certain scenes of post-victory jubilation observed on June 28.
A few days later, during a heated debate in the National Assembly, the Minister of Health Olivier Véran exclaimed: “Gentlemen, I will ask you to put your mask back on.
Show the example, do not create a cluster in the National Assembly!
"
