(Fighting against New Coronary Pneumonia) Global war epidemic: French "closing the city" has a tortuous road to seek "unblocking" after 50 days
China News Agency, Paris, May 5 Question: France's "closing the city" has been tortuous for 50 days
China News Agency reporter Li Yang
On May 5, local time, France adopted a series of control measures such as "closing the city" to respond to the new coronary pneumonia epidemic for 50 days. After such a long period of control, how to "unblock" has become the topic of most concern to all walks of life in France.
French officials have repeatedly stated that although the new coronary pneumonia epidemic has not ended, the "unblocking" will surely come. If the French people resume daily life, they will have to learn to "coexist" with the virus.
On May 1, local time, France continued to be in a "closed city" state. The Labor Day demonstrations that should have been held that day were cancelled due to the new crown epidemic. The vast majority of shops on the Champs Elysées are still closed. China News Service reporter Li Yangshe
Although the number of inpatients and critically ill patients with new coronary pneumonia in France continues to decline slowly, the epidemic situation is indeed still developing and changing. According to data from the French Ministry of Health on the evening of the 5th, the cumulative number of deaths in France has reached 25,531, with 330 deaths on that day, the highest number of single-day deaths since entering May; meanwhile, there were still 24755 inpatients. 6,291 people have died in the Paris area, where the epidemic is most severe.
The French epidemic map released on the 5th also shows that 27 provinces, including the Greater Paris area, are still in the "red zone" where the epidemic risk is high. French President Macron pointed out that the spread of the virus has only been slowed down. The danger of the virus still exists, and the French people need to continue to be vigilant.
Over the past 50 days of the French "closure of the city", the vast majority of public places have been closed, people's travel has been strictly restricted, and economic activity has stalled. According to official French statistics, France ’s economy has shrunk by 5.8% in the first quarter of this year and has fallen into recession. Among them, many economic sectors such as catering, retail, and tourism have been hit hard; the economic data in the second quarter is expected to be even worse. Saving the economy through "unblocking" is gradually gaining recognition from French society. As many French politicians have pointed out, if the "unblocking" continues to be postponed, the French economy will face a collapse, which is unbearable for the country. As long as the epidemic has eased, "unblocking" is imperative.
It is not easy for French society to form a unified consensus on how to "unblock" specific measures. French Prime Minister Philippe has officially launched the "Unblocking" roadmap on behalf of the government last week, which has been carefully reviewed by all sectors of society. Politically, the road map has just suffered a defeat.
The French Senate voted against the road map with 89 votes against, 80 votes in favor, and 170 abstentions. Although this vote is only symbolic and does not affect the implementation of the "unblocking" road map, the setback in the Senate shows that French political circles have not yet reached a high degree of consensus on how to "unblock", and many people hold a skeptical or wait-and-see attitude.
From the perspective of the implementation of the "unblocking" roadmap, some of these policies have caused great controversy, such as the school resumption plan. Many mayors and school principals have publicly asked the government to postpone the resumption of school. How to protect the health and safety of students is their biggest concern.
The French Ministry of Education has previously formulated a three-stage resumption plan for primary and secondary schools. The original plan was to basically complete the resumption of classes at the end of May, but in the opposition, the scale of resumption of classes was gradually reduced, the time for resumption of classes was delayed, and the principle of "voluntary" back to school was promoted. Macron tried to calm his doubts. On the 5th, he went to an elementary school on the outskirts of Paris to inspect, communicate with elementary school students and show them how to wash their hands. Macron's attitude towards school resumption is still firm, saying that the government will continue to promote the gradual resumption of classes.
On April 24, local time, in Paris, France, a member of the Home Theater Association screened movies on the walls of the apartment.
The problem of the mask supply of the French people is also one of the focuses of all circles. According to the design of the road map for "unblocking", after unblocking, you must wear masks in public transportation in France. This requires the supply of a considerable number of masks to protect the public. Since it is still difficult to purchase masks, it is not uncommon for people to travel without wearing masks. Major supermarkets in France began selling masks one after another this week, triggering public buying. The reporter didn't see the sale of masks in several supermarkets.
May 11 is the day when the French “closing city” and other control measures expire, and it is also the day most likely to initiate “unblocking”. French officials currently plan to determine whether to "unblock" and "unblock" the scope on May 11 according to the epidemic map on May 7. Philip will also introduce more specific details of the "unblocking" roadmap on the 7th.
Many of the actual problems after the “unblocking” have yet to be further clarified by the official, such as how to use public transportation to maintain social distance, whether travel during peak hours still requires certification documents, etc. These are closely related to the daily life of the people. The question of whether restaurants, cafes, etc. can resume business, and whether they can go on vacation, will be left to "unblock" and observe for at least three weeks before the government decides.
It is still a week before May 11th, and the French government's preparations for "unblocking" are heavy. In his speech at the National Assembly (lower house of parliament) on the 5th, Prime Minister Philip lamented that preparing for "unblocking" is much more difficult than making a "unblocking" decision, and it is "very difficult" in terms of politics, law, technology Is an "unprecedented" job. In fact, even though the "unblocking" on May 11th and France have taken an "important step" towards restoring social life, it still seems to have a long way to go to control the epidemic and gradually "unblock". (Finish)