As the Christmas holidays approach, France is undergoing a triple epidemic with Covid-19, influenza and bronchiolitis. A survey takes stock of the concern of the French, their desire to put the mask back on, to resume barrier gestures and their confidence in the health system.
- The Minister of Health, François Braun, had assured on BFMTV, on December 4, that if the contamination figures continued to increase, “(his) arm will not tremble” to restore the obligation of the mask in public places.
- Nearly 11,000 new cases of Covid-19 were detected on December 12 (2.7% compared to last week), according to figures from Public Health France.
- The incidence rate is 634 (11% in 7 days).
While France, like its neighbours, is experiencing a triple epidemic with the combination of the rise in cases of Covid-19, influenza and bronchiolitis, barrier gestures are used less and end-of-season celebrations years are approaching, more and more French people are worried about the health situation. It must be said that the government is increasing the alerts and called, on December 9, for a “start” to relaunch vaccination and put the mask back on public transport.
Less than 1 in 2 French people wear a mask in the metro or bus
Currently, according to an Odoxa/Backbone Consulting survey commissioned by Le Figaro this Monday, December 12, less than half (46%) of those questioned still systematically wear a mask in the metro or on the bus. The paradox is that at the same time, 76% of them want it to become compulsory again and 58% demand the restoration of the wearing of a compulsory mask in all public places.
While we are a few days away from Christmas, 66% of respondents say they are particularly worried “for their loved ones” and want to remain cautious by keeping barrier gestures and avoiding contacts and crowds as much as possible during the coming weeks. Among the solutions to limit travel, the extension of telework is desired by 77% of respondents.
Epidemics this winter: a lack of confidence in the health system
The survey also points to an altered confidence of the French in their health system to fight this new wave of epidemics, in particular in relation to the number of resuscitation beds available.
“If the French had noted a ‘better’ in the hospital a few months after the start of the epidemic, the judgments have since collapsed”underlines Céline Bracq, general manager of Odoxa, quoted by Le Figaro. “Thus, 50% of French people believe that health establishments are better prepared to manage the arrival of covid patients”, she continues. However, only 36% of them believe that France has a sufficient number of resuscitation beds available.
