Coronavirus: how the French lived the first day of confinement from Twitter

How did France experience the first day of historic confinement, made compulsory by the progression of the coronavirus? To get an idea of ​​the temperature of the country, you have to go to social networks, where many Internet users have shared their impressions, their observations, their anxieties. Small digital anthology of an unprecedented day in peacetime.

Empty places

This was already the case before the "official" start of the confinement announced by Emmanuel Macron: small shops, supermarkets and hypermarkets were taken by storm in many regions of France. With, often, impressive queues at the entrance of these establishments, even at the time of entry into force of containment.

Queues in front of stores, customers at the market: before the entry into force of the #confinementtotal at 12 noon, there are still people outside in the streets of #Paris. # coronavirus # COVID19pic.twitter.com / T0aXeHENbG

>> LIVE - Coronavirus: follow the evolution of the situation Tuesday March 17th

In the middle of the day, Twitter then looked like a huge gallery of empty places. Like here at Trocadéro, usually filled with tourists eager for photos with the Eiffel Tower in the background.

Due to the #coronavirus - # COVID19fr pandemic, #France is placed in almost total containment and the population now needs a #attestation to move. The streets of #Paris are suddenly completely empty like here at Trocadéro. # CoronavirusFrance # COVID19pic.twitter.com / ERnywLPUhP

But it is not only in Paris that the inhabitants have deserted public places to confine themselves to their homes. In Reims, as everywhere in France, the main arteries seem transfigured, unrecognizable.

Reims, 12:30 p.m., March 17, 2020. pic.twitter.com/YFGx95IcqH

Loneliness, madness, boredom?

And if the inhabitants are neither on the street nor at work, it is because they are at home. And the fact that March 17 is a doubly special day increases the feeling of loneliness.

what a beautiful day pic.twitter.com/seKuMkTy5p

However, this is only the first day of confinement: Emmanuel Macron mentioned measures valid for two weeks, but this state of confinement could be extended if necessary. Enough to fear that some will sink into madness.

Dear diary, 4th hour of confinement everything is going well, I think I have made a new friend but I am almost sure that I am the only one who can see it pic.twitter.com/MAluECwyfI

In this new context for the French, some internet users are doing more or less well. A game console, for example, undoubtedly makes it easier to occupy your days.

Containment when you don't have a console: pic.twitter.com/qbLaNt2nN3

Staying confined can be good

How can boredom be bored in these conditions? Some have found the solution, with the added bonus of a possible new Olympic discipline.

Other Internet users took advantage of this first day of confinement to initiate or resume creative hobbies, a very useful pastime when it is impossible to go out to find family and friends.

Alone in her Parisian 16m2, she follows a tutorial and learns doodle art. This is his first work. pic.twitter.com/B23zb7Jq95

In all cases, confinement makes it possible to be even more aware of the view available. Some are more fortunate than others in this little game.

When I'm bored I can go to my window and watch the Sacred Heart for 5 minutes while listening to the city. Usually I hear the ring road, there are birds singing and a helicopter. pic.twitter.com/RI22KvQNYp

A question, finally: how will the French get out of this very special period? A surfer already imagines the end of confinement ... and its consequences on social life.

After confinement when I go to see my friends they will all marry 2 children and a dog