France and Germany

[ConcernedAuntie]

Can I ask any Mumsnetters in France and Germany a question please? On this site there are many people looking for reasons not to comply or saying they will not comply with the next lockdown rules? Is it just people from the UK who think like this or do you get a similar comments on French/German social media? Do you believe there is a higher level of compliance where you live? Just interested really. Thank you.

Sorry if this has been asked before.

There have been riots in France over the restrictions there.

Where I am on the border between France and Switzerland most people are complying. I haven’t witnessed anyone breaking the rules. Social gatherings have been cancelled, local Facebook groups are removing any posts that advertise activities or suggestions on rule breaking.

I’m sure there are people flaunting the rules, it’s like that everywhere. I just haven’t seen it in my corner of France.

Very rural France here. I've only seen 100% compliance with rules around here with people wearing masks outside in our small town.

Comments on Facebook are generally around what will the mayor do to help out businesses.

Big holiday home area and a few Parisians arrived mid week in anticipation of the lockdown. There was some ill feeling about them last time but I'd do the same in their position. We've had no cases at all.

In Germany most people I know are complying. They understand the importance of keeping schools and hospitals open.

I expect people will comply in Germany but the rules (where I am at least) are much more relaxed and you can still meet as many people as you like in your own house and all shops are still open. I expect the issue here will be people having legal, but ill-advised parties at home.

Family in southern Germany and 100% compliance. Face masks worn, limiting social get togethers etc, Schools and Unis staying open.

In Germany there is also a huge anti-compliance movement with mass protests in the big cities esp in Berlin. The restrictions aren’t as excessive the moment but the police regularly have to clamp down on the party miles in cities as people are not complying. Also mask wearing is very lax, people often just wearing it Over their mouths, but there are lots of checks on public transport and people are fined.

In France children over 6 now have to wear masks all day at school - starting from today. Good luck with that one! This is in Var.

In france, I know at least 3 companies who are opening to clients inspite of being ordered to close to the public., an aesthetician, a hairdresser & a shop selling home decor.
Mayors are signing decrees countering the small shop closures
People are still gathering at home
Students are still doing exactly what they have been doing.
One woman has decided to sell bread, & as Boulangeries are allowed to open, her shop is open !
The fortunate population, & uni students from Paris have flooded out into the provinces, bringing the virus with them where there are no big hospitals (here within 40km & they are already full.)
Everyone knows this lockdown is necessary, but what next? a lockdown every 6 months ? The small & some big companies are folding, how are you expected to pay your mortgage/rent & put feed your children?

Are France and Germany's lockdowns just for a month? Is there a deadline set - and do you think the governments there will stick to those deadlines?

There have been riots in France over the restrictions there

Ummmmm.....

I guess some UK outlets would like to portray some protests and public displays of unhappiness as such but the reality where I am is zero "riots" in our nearby big city..

Very high compliance with mask wearing requirements.

@notimagain

I'm guessing you live in France? Do the French mostly trust their government?

I think the problem here is that we have a watered down version of Trump - and people in the UK have no trust and so don't believe in what they are being told to do.

Thing about trust and feeling of Mr Macron is that he pops up on TV, makes a grand statement, gives broad brush details and then calls for solidarity....it gets left to his Prime Minister and other senior Ministers to do the dirty work and break the details of the bad news over the next few days..

My perception is lots of people are sceptical of Mr Macron ATM but generally there's a feeling of resignation, that yes, the figures can be trusted and that for the greater good we are going to have to suck it up..

Be interested to see how others living here feel.

In France on the Swiss / German border. We were hit really badly in the first wave so compliance is pretty good here. Some facebook protest / local businesses protesting and complaining but afak are still following the rules.

I agree with notimagain Macron is great at the tv motivating speeches making sure we know we are all in this together before disappearing and leaving the tough stuff to his ministers. I would say he isn't all that popular (voted in as anti Le Penn rather than pro Macron) but at the same time he is not ridiculous like Trump / Boris so there is still a level of trust.

I feel like there has always been more compliance here but my view is very subjective as all I know about the UK is the stuff I see on mumsnet - lots of people exempt from mask wearing / preference for shielding the vulnerable while allowing life to continue as normal for the others. I have never seen anyone shopping without a mask here and I dont know anyone irl who advocates herd immunity / locking up the shielded etc..

I suspect there are pockets of rebels everywhere though and in the main most people are just getting on with life as best they can whatever country they are in.

The riots were in Italy asfaik
Yes most people compliant, everyone wears masks this time.Macron is in Place, people realise he makes grand statements, but nothing follows. Promises were made to be ready for 2nd wave; We are not.
The current confinement is for 6 weeks, then there will be more after .
Disney is opening for Xmas & closing again !

There are huge riots in Germany right now. Mainstream media is not really reporting on it, for fear of spreading and encouraging further unrest I guess.

I think it's demographics also. I live in a London suburb populated by professionals with families. Very high compliance locally. Best friend lives in a trendy area of Berlin, most of her friends are single millennials and while they do take Covid seriously they are still socialising indoors with other households, having dinner parties, a few drinks and so on. Probably the same with this age demographic and younger in the UK,especially those who have limited contact with older family members and wfh.