Warm weather, beaches and forests that have just reopened, encouraging prospects for the summer holidays… After eight weeks under the hood, it is with optimism that the French are approaching this first “unconfined” weekend. Even if vigilance remains in the face of the epidemic: the death of a 9-year-old child, suffering from a form close to Kawasaki disease described in young patients who have been in contact with the coronavirus, has been announced in Marseille, the first death of this type in France.
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The gradual resumption of school was done without major hiccups, and the wearing of masks is generally respected in public transport. According to an Odoxa-Dentsu Consulting survey for Le Figaro and France Info, almost all French people (95%) also ensure that barrier gestures are respected. However, limiting travel to 100 kilometers from home or keeping bars and restaurants closed is approved by just over half of them…
Few French people have resumed their lives before confinement. Two-thirds admit that they have not left their homes more often or longer and that they have not seen their family or friends again.Few French people have resumed their lives before confinement. Two-thirds admit that they have not left their homes more often or longer and that they have not seen their family or friends again. Seven out of ten have not returned to their workplace or to non-food businesses. Will they stay like this until June? Some people are already developing a few strategies to find their loved ones or their second home.
From May 11, Clara took the train to Lyon, crossing three departments to see her boyfriend ... and incidentally her disabled grandfather. “I had questions from several customers, entrepreneurs who had to justify their business trips , says Me Geoffroy de Vries, business lawyer in Paris. I work in particular on the acquisition of a company. Since the end of March, the contract signing meeting has been postponed from month to month, now to the end of June: it was felt that this was not the time to bring together fifteen people. And then some have to travel several hundred kilometers to come; they could come across a police officer who believes that this signature could still be delayed… ” .
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Gatherings of more than ten people remain prohibited in public space. But this does not concern private events, which can take place, at the home of an individual, with all the necessary "common sense" ... While the deconfinement could take a new step on June 2, the government regularly calls "at civility ” and “ responsibility ” of each. The images of crowds without respect for sanitary rules, from May 11 on the Parisian banks, where alcohol was banned, or on the stairs of the Sacré-Coeur, raised fears of a "relaxation" which would favor the appearance of 'a possible second wave.
The next few days carefully scrutinized
It is too early to say if this deconfinement rhymes with rebound of the epidemic, taking into account the duration of incubation of the disease which can go up to fourteen days, and the time it takes before the appearance of symptoms. more serious. We do know, however, that containment had undeniable positive effects, since all the epidemiological indicators of circulation of SARS-CoV-2 have gradually decreased in mainland France. The number of patients cared for in intensive care units fell to 2,299 Thursday, according to the Directorate General of Health, far from the peak of 7,148 recorded on April 8. Bruno Lina, virologist and member of the Scientific Council, underlined on RTL on Thursday the "masterful effort" made by the French: "If we continue to apply the hygiene and distancing measures which are a bit lighter, did he said, one can remain optimistic, but reasonably. "
In the coming days, several indicators will be scrutinized: recourse to SOS Doctors, the Samu and the increase in emergency visits for suspected Covid-19. They will be the first warning signals. Because despite everything, the virus is still circulating in France: 622 new confirmed cases of coronavirus were registered on Thursday.
