"In the coming weeks, would you be ready to accept a new confinement?
"For 72% of French people, the answer is rather yes.
This is what emerges from a survey carried out on February 9 and 10 by Ifop for the strategic consulting firm No Com in partnership with Le Parisien - Today in France.
Despite calls from some for civil disobedience, among restaurateurs or in the world of culture - very hard impacted by administrative closures to limit the spread of Covid-19 - the French remain disciplined.
"We are quite far from very alarmist comments suggesting that they are ready to revolt against a new confinement, notes Pierre Giacometti, co-founder of No Com.
Despite a very strong increase in concerns about the economic situation, the acceptance reflex is not called into question.
" A paradox ?
Not really.
Because this survey illustrates that the French are torn between two opposing desires: to find a life as before and to protect themselves.
If, for 52% of the people questioned, “it is better to take an excess of health precaution”, they are 48% to prefer a rapid return to a normal situation to protect the economy, even if it means assuming a greater health risk.
Moreover, to the question "what is the greatest threat to your country?"
», 62% respond to the economic crisis and 38% to the health crisis.
“This development concerns all generations and all social classes,” notes Pierre Giacometti.
The prevailing feeling in public opinion is that the virus is progressing less, the fear of being infected has decreased
(Editor's note: especially among young people, since 73% of 18-24 year olds are not afraid of being infected against 52 % on average)
and the decision of the President of the Republic to waive, for the moment, a third confinement may have had the effect, by ricochet, of deferring his concern to the economy.
"
"This crisis reinforces the social divide a little more"
This fear is particularly marked among young people: 59% of 18-24 year olds and 64% of 25-35 year olds are worried about the economic impact of the crisis on them and their families.
No wonder then that we find among these same age groups a great psychological fragility: 40% of 18-24 year olds and 27% of 25-35 year olds experience this period badly, whereas they are only 22% of all generations. confused.
Another divide, more expected but just as worrying, that between wealthy and poor people.
While 51% of French people believe they have been hit hard by the crisis, this rate climbs to 69% for the poorest categories and drops to 27% for the better-off.
“This crisis reinforces a little more the social divide which already existed before the epidemic, worries Pierre Giacometti.
When we enter the presidential election period, this cleavage will be one of the challenges.
"
Finally, among the players in whom the French have the most confidence to manage health and economic crises, the premium is given to proximity.
In the lead, local communities, health personnel or those of the school system.
If confidence in the role of the government remains in the minority, it is progressing, a little, while its vaccine strategy is contested.