Since the application of stage 2 of the coronavirus, our habits have been modified, both by decisions taken by the public authorities and by our behavior to avoid infection.
- Faced with the coronavirus epidemic, the French avoid frequenting public places too much
- On the other hand, they do not all respect the hygiene instructions
The spread of the coronavirus on the territory, the triggering of stage 2, collective psychosis… Since the Covid-19 is present in France, our lifestyles have been modified. To understand how, a survey Ifop “proposes to analyze the impact of the Coronavirus on the daily lives of French people, in particular on mobility and the hygiene and purchasing behavior of French peoplewas conducted. The survey was carried out on March 5, 2020, with a representative sample of 1,008 people, aged 18 and over.
Desertification of public places and random compliance with hygiene instructions
Faced with the fear of being infected, the French are abandoning public space. One in four French people has already avoided going to public places for leisure or shopping because of the coronavirus. The places most affected by this drop in attendance are bars, with a drop of 21%, followed by places of group activities (15%) and Asian restaurants (14%). The next municipal elections could also greatly suffer from the epidemic: nearly 3 out of 10 voters (28%) are likely not to go to a polling station because of the risk of transmission.
Despite the health prevention messages disseminated throughout the territory, the French do not necessarily apply the instructions. Only 72% systematically wash their hands after going to the toilet, 54% before eating and 47% after taking transport. Same observation regarding recommendations for physical contact. Barely a quarter of them say they do not shake hands with strangers to introduce themselves and only 9% do not kiss their loved ones. In terms of prevention, 26% say they have made precautionary purchases and 25% say they plan to do so in the future.
A collective fear
These behaviors are indicative of a collective fear, as described by Sylvain Delouvée at Why Doctor. For the psycho-sociologist, faced with a global epidemic phenomenon that is difficult to explain and understand, we put in place a certain number of superstitious mechanisms that he describes as a “magic recipe”. This explains why we are more inclined to change our habits, driven by the belief that this will prevent us from being infected, rather than following health instructions.
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