France in Focus

An article in the Times today
“Wearing a mask is the most effective way in which the public can curb coronavirus cases, a study has found. Global research has found that masks can slash incidences of infection by 53 per cent. The first systematic review of its kind, a meta-analysis published in the BMJ, has found that non-pharmaceutical measures, such as mask-wearing, social distancing and handwashing, are all effective at keeping infection numbers down.
Researchers at Monash University in Australia and the University of Edinburgh found that wearing masks was the most effective of the three and have called for their use alongside vaccines.”

Oh dear what a surprise.

The UK government certainly slipped up when they said mask wearing was advisory not compulsory

It's absolutely ridiculous the amount of people mincing around in the UK, possibly not the only place, without the hint of a mask. Even Queenie with her high ranking officer yesterday, no mask and within less than a metre of each other.

Pathca wrote: ↑Fri Nov 19, 2021 11:04 am The UK government certainly slipped up when they said mask wearing was advisory not compulsory

About par for the course, slip ups, bad advice and sleaze.

Some activites make mask-wearing difficult, like singing. If everyone is vaccinated, the risk of infection is reduced, though not eliminated. But in most cases, the worst symptoms will be avoided.

I believed that all participants of activities held inside in France had to be vaccinated and that everyone should have their pass sanitaire with them "in case of a control...". This is particularly important for activities that make mask wearing difficult.

So it came as a shock to us to hear that the leader/conductor (who we thought we knew well) of a small chorale locally refuses to be vaccinated. Yet she continued to hold singing practices. We heard on Wednesday that she has tested positive for Covid as has at least one other person we know who was at her practice on Monday.

Mask-wearing, social distancing and hand washing isn't enough. Until everyone is vaccinated, the virus will continue to spread. This was impressed upon us in France months and months ago but sadly it seems the UK government has refused to accept what's staring them in the face. The decision has been placed on individuals which is fine for the thinking person, but for the rest ..... ??

We had our second association meeting yesterday, since lockdown 20 attending all covid passes scanned on entry to the meeting room.
Two people in our commune refuse to get the vax and are barred from all meetings.

Talking with a relative yesterday and the pair of us are convinced that England will be in some sort of lockdown by Christmas and even if we aren’t family who live in Scotland may well not be coming to stay as planned
If you take notice there are already subtle comments in the media to get people’s thoughts to it may happen
Austria has imposed a full lockdown from Monday,following the one for the unvaccinated

Well I think it must have worked here in the Mayenne - better stay vigilant though as my post lady says.

https://www.ouest-france.fr/pays-de-la- ... facb30e02d

Have to say I see UK reintroducing some restrictions.

We read that 4th wave has not hit the UK - yet it is already 3rd in terms of deaths pm after Croatia (IIRC) and Germany.

Indeed the UK is already ahead of the incompetent local authorities here and Austria which hit the headlines last week. But back to OP - here masks are obligatory indoors and on transport (even though some groups seem to wear them on their chin).

The Christmas market has opened in the town - not sure I shall be going.