World News: France Considers New COVID-19 Confinements

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Category: World News - Europe

Published on Monday, 12 October 2020 08:06

Written by Olivier Longhi

After a small respite France, like other nations affected by COVID-19, confinements may once again become the norm as health security and economic imperatives, are faced with a difficult dilemma that remains unanswered. Explanations.

Whether they are entertainment professionals, restaurateurs, managers of breweries or drinking establishments, directors of sports halls or event organizers, VTC, fairgrounds, ... instinctively, some would complain, in front of the imposed restrictions that pass often by the temporary closure of establishments, the cancellation of events, these professionals are hampered in their freedom to exercise their activity.

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The reason: the risk of the spread of Covid-19, which has now become an almost daily part of our lives. And then emerge two totally opposite or at least difficult to reconcile visions of the management of the virus.

Survival and Asceticism

First of all that of professionals severely handicapped by the spring confinement and to this day threatened by the new restrictions aimed at limiting the opening hours which call for more flexibility and on the part of the public authorities on behalf of their survival.

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On the other hand, a scientific council affirming that the spread of the virus is multiplied in closed spaces and welcoming a public margin, mask or not mask. There are therefore two visions: that of the need to continue working in order to avoid bankruptcy; that of rigidity which advocates social asceticism in the name of public health. But the dilemma here is difficult because the two positions are defended and understood.

The first refers on the one hand to the freedom to exercise a professional activity associated with the need to welcome the public to ensure the sustainability of the activity. The second refers to the desire to avoid the spread of a virus through the population while the number of contaminations in France has jumped in a few days.

Few have imagined that the coronavirus would put Western societies in such a dead end or face such questions. Prioritize public health or economic activity knowing that the second also finances the first but that the latter can in no way be neglected or brushed aside with the back of the hand.

Anger and Questioning

Here again, the problem does not only concern France because in England many elected officials contest the measures proposed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson. And it is a safe bet that anger among the various professional spheres is starting to spread at the same speed as the virus. And for good reason.

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However, to date, it appears that the measures taken, namely wearing a mask, washing hands and social distancing, are not sufficient to hinder its progress in a context of imperative recovery of the global economy. A question then arises: What to do? This is the only question that is valid to date.

And the drama of continuing to play out in an ubiquitous, almost Kafkaesque context because despite the measures proposed and applied, despite the recovery plans undertaken, despite populations generally quick to apply the measures intended to hinder the progression of the virus, it continues to progress to the dismay of many professionals.

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Surprised by the unprecedented dimension of the virus, Humanity seems helpless to face what could also be the first virus in a long series to come. And our contemporary societies, so quick to put forward solutions of all kinds, have fallen into the trap of powerlessness which brings us back to the previous question: What to do? Well ... we don't know.

Bio: Olivier Longhi has extensive experience in European history. A seasoned journalist with fifteen years of experience, he is currently professor of history and geography in the Toulouse region of France. He has held a variety of publishing positions, including Head of Agency and Chief of Publishing. A journalist, recognized blogger, editor, and editorial project manager, he has trained and managed editorial teams, worked as a journalist for various local radio stations, a press and publishing consultant, and a communications consultant.