Lockdown !

We’ve been in lockdown for two weeks now, to try to reduce the spread of the coronavirus COVID 19. We have to stay at home and can only go out individually, for a limited number of specifically permitted reasons, and not for anything else, under threat of fines and even imprisonment. We have to complete a French government certificate for every single trip out that we make, for inspection, and such things as shopping must be done as infrequently as possible and by only one person.

Only shops selling ‘essentials’ are open. We have seen no signs of panic buying and the shops that are open seem well stocked. Petrol and diesel prices have plummeted but no-one is buying much as we aren’t allowed to do any journeys. President Macron’s and Prime Minister Philippe’s speeches and announcements all along have been conducted in a strong, direct, positive manner making things very clear and giving confidence. Unlike in the US and in the UK until the last day or two.

The number of cases and the number of deaths here in France as a whole is the third  highest in Europe, but our region and department have lower than average numbers. France is a week or so ahead of the UK, Italy and Spain on the deaths timeline; the cases and deaths are running at about double the UK's rate but only a quarter to a half of Italy and Spain's numbers. However there are marked differences between the countries of the number of tests being undertaken, so there are not really comparable measures of case numbers.

The Chinese authorities, having taken very strong measures to close down movement and contact, now appear to be coming out of their crisis. Indeed they're sending medical supplies to Europe and elsewhere and are displaying greater world leadership on this crisis than the USA, which has hitherto always aimed to hold that position. Most European countries took nothing like as positive action as early as they should have with the result that many are suffering worse than China. Italy has been devastated and Spain has pretty nearly caught up with Italy now. France took a strong stance two weeks ago – a bit late but much more firm than most others, so is experiencing a slower build-up of deaths - trying to flatten the curve, though for most of Europe it still looks close to exponential growth. It's not a true exponential, of course, as it will flatten out at some point, but we need to see an inflection in the numbers before we can estimate when that will be.

Here in south-west France we are little affected other than locally coping with the lockdown. We are not aware yet of any cases nearby nor any deaths in our vicinity, but everyone here is abiding by the rules, so far as we can tell, to keep it that way. We can’t go helping anyone or having anyone here to help us, so most contact is by phone, message and Facebook. We can't go out for the day. One neighbour passes by the front of our housewith his dog, daily. We see another three sets in their respective back gardens, to speak with at a safe distance. Only one couple of British second-home owners here have stayed rather than going home to the UK. They are happy to stay here for the duration. All the other Brits here are residents and most are staying long term.

Our region, Nouvelle Aquitaine, is able to take cases from elsewhere in France - mostly the east and north - that are much harder hit, with a train full of serious cases just arrived in Bordeaux. 

We’ve lost a few events that we had planned, but it's best to minimise risk, we believe. Brittany Ferries have been their usual reasonable selves moving a booking back by six months; the course I was booked for, similarly. Ryanair, of course, were full of difficulties getting things done. They’ve promised a refund within 7 days but are now saying there’s a delay. Surprise, surprise!

So we’ve got lots of time on our hands.  I’ve got some more work done on the big stone wall but will run out of sand for mortar before I can finish it. Building supplies don't count as essentials (so most builders are out of work even though many of them are singletons who could work alone on their jobs if they could get supplies). And I’ve been doing some more fencing for the sheep, cutting up wood, cutting grass and trying to keep our pool cover from blowing away in the winds as the makers can’t come back to refix it until the crisis is over. Jeanne has been doing more work on the potager, which is now looking perfect, with most of the ground full of seeds for the season’s vegetables. But there’s space for tomatoes, courgettes, squash etc when and if we can buy seedlings from the garden centres.

The weather has been fine but has taken a turn back to wintry conditions with a bitter north wind today and snow forecast for tomorrow, whilst most of the spring flowers have finished and summer ones are budding.

The French government have announced a further two weeks of lockdown and increased fines for non-compliance, and we suspect there’ll be at least one more 2 week extension.

Keep helping to flatten the curve. Stay safe, everyone.