According to a poll carried out for BFMTV, 94% of French people are for the provision of masks to the general public and screening for the coronavirus. On the other hand, they are very divided as to the gradual reopening of schools from May 11.
- The President of the Republic announced this provision in his speech of April 13
- The conditions for supplying this protective equipment have not been specified.
- Two out of three French people doubt the government’s ability to have these masks on May 11
During his televised address on Monday April 13, Emmanuel Macron announced the end of the confinement of the French on May 11, as well as numerous measures. Among them, the provision “of a general public mask” and generalized coronavirus screening for people with symptoms have been very well received by the French, since according to a survey carried out by Elabe* for BFM TV made public on Tuesday April 14, 94% are in favor of it. On the other hand, many people do not trust the government to manage the deconfinement and are skeptical about the reopening of schools.
In detail, 90% of French people say they are in favor of closing borders with non-European countries until further notice and 89% approve of the idea of being able to visit their loved ones at the end of life. In addition, 81% of respondents agree with the extension of confinement beyond May 11 for the elderly, vulnerable and with severe disabilities.
However, despite these positive figures for the executive, the French are far from believing all the promises of Emmanuel Macron. Thus, if almost everyone would like masks for the general public, they are a majority (65%) to think that the government will not be able to distribute them to the entire population for May 11. What’s more, 83% of respondents believe that the supply of FFP2 and surgical masks has been mismanaged by Emmanuel Macron and his government. Those in screening tests are also criticized by 78% of French people.
The majority of French people keep their spirits up
Regarding deconfinement, while Edouard Philippe announced on Tuesday April 14 that he would present a complete plan “well before May 11”, only 48% of respondents believe that this preparation will be well managed, because 55% of respondents do not trust the executive to fight the epidemic. Worse still, 21% of respondents do not trust him at all. Conversely, 36% of French people tend to trust and 9% trust Emmanuel Macron and the government completely to manage the health crisis.
Asked about the adaptation of the executive to the changing situation, only 32% believe that he has done the best. If it is little, it is however five points more than March 23 and 24, underlines BFMTV. However, as a general rule, 68% of French people believe that the government has taken too long to take the necessary measures regarding Covid-19.
As for the decision to extend the confinement for a month, the vast majority of those questioned approve it (83%), worried about the spread of the virus on the territory. They are even 73% to consider this measure bearable. It is however necessary to note a drop in morale: if 62% of French people say they have good morale, the pollsters note however a drop of 5 points compared to the survey of April 6 and 7.
The French divided on the gradual reopening of schools
Finally, we note that the most divisive question is that of the return to school. Thus, only 55% of French people approve of the government’s measure to gradually reopen nurseries, schools, colleges and high schools from May 11.
Following this presidential announcement, many teachers’ unions and associations expressed their concerns. “To resume in a month, as if nothing had happened, it is not possible, because there will not be more people immunized, the children will be together at school, without possible barrier gestures, and then go to families, with grandparents, it does not seem at all reasonable”Francette Popineau, general secretary of the Snuipp-FSU, the first primary union, protested to AFP.
“If we have to return before the summer, that supposes a whole plan to get out of confinement. Test people, disinfect the premises, have masks and hydroalcoholic gel, also ensure that the students are not 35 in the classes”, commented Frédérique Rolet, general secretary of Snes-FSU (majority secondary union), quoted by Release.
As for the FCPE, association of parents of pupils, it asks for a “emergency plan for the school”. For its co-president Rodrigo Arenas, “the government has one month to present the school emergency plan to maintain compliance with barrier gestures at school. Otherwise, parents risk not returning children to school if they risk contaminating themselves or personnel.
*ELABE study carried out for BFMTV on a sample of 1004 people representative of the French population aged 18 and over.
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