Coronavirus Update

Coronavirus Update

We're in our fifth wave of coronavirus here in France, and there's no flattening of cases in sight. Omicron is the dominant variant.

Some data:

- average daily new cases are well over 300k, far outstripping previous records

- average daily deaths are approaching 250

- our local hospital (serving a population of 90k) has 50 covid patients, including 6 in ICU (none in ICU was vaccinated). 5 have died in the past week. Visits are prohibited except in certain cases.

- for this fifth wave as a whole, our Sète hospital has admitted 194 patients, including 32 in ICU, and 18 deaths (9.3%)

What France has done...

1st wave: March 2020

You can barely see the case numbers from the first wave on the graph, as the scale has changed so much (we had almost no tests available; people were basically diagnosed after death). Fortunately, the death record is still held by the first wave. It was brought down by a very strict confinement, lifted in increments.

2nd wave: November 2020

Fall school holidays, immediately followed by a second confinement.

3rd wave: April 2021

Vaccines started to become available. France entered a third confinement, but mainly pushed for vaccinations. There were not many available, so these were phased in based on age and risk factors.

4th wave: August 2021

Brought to a peak by holidays, added to by returns to school. France introduced the Health Pass (Pass Sanitaire), where one needed either a vaccination or a recent negative covid test in order to go anywhere fun (restaurant, movies, concerts, etc).

5th wave: now

France recently passed the Vaccination Pass, meaning that you must prove fully vaccinated status to do anything fun (restaurant, movies, concerts, etc). You also need it for domestic flights and long-distance trains. This means that (1) a negative covid test will no longer count and (2) you have to have a booster shot within 7 months of your second vaccine. The focus has shifted from avoiding covid to not having to be hospitalized due to covid. To note: the vaccination pass was approved by parliament, but has been sent on to the constitutional court for review.

What we have done (recently):

- we got our booster in early December, near the beginning of the fifth wave

- I'd been having an English conversation workshop once a week; everyone vaccinated, everyone properly masked. But seeing the skyrocketing cases, we decided to cancel it until April, when we will reevaluate the situation.

- we haven't done anything social since the first part of December; we go out for groceries and health needs, always masked

- even with all these precautions, we came down with something contagious (mild), so went for our covid tests - negative, but really got us thinking

~~~

Previous posts to see:

Fifth wave

https://slowtravelin.blogspot.com/2021/11/fifth-wave-of-coronavirus-in-france.html

https://slowtravelin.blogspot.com/2021/07/last-week.html

Fourth wave

https://slowtravelin.blogspot.com/2021/06/accelerated-deconfinement.html

https://slowtravelin.blogspot.com/2021/05/deconfinement-iii.html

https://slowtravelin.blogspot.com/2021/04/april-fool-no.html

Third wave

https://slowtravelin.blogspot.com/2020/12/coronavirus-year-end-update.html

https://slowtravelin.blogspot.com/2020/10/corona-normal.html

First wave

https://slowtravelin.blogspot.com/2020/05/the-end-of-confinement.html

https://slowtravelin.blogspot.com/2020/03/french-bandit.html

https://slowtravelin.blogspot.com/2020/03/one-week-in-corona-ville.html

Fifth Wave of Coronavirus in France

We've been watch the coronavirus roar back, for a fifth wave - the increase in new cases is incredible! 

We knew the government was going to announce new measures, but what was left to do? Well, scheduled just after noon on Thanksgiving day, the Health Minister told us.

The US embassy sent a good summary of the new French covid rules. To quote...

The French government announced a number of changes to French COVID-19 measures, including changes to rules regarding vaccination and the health pass:

- Booster vaccinations will open for all adults (ages 18 and above) on November 27. The booster shot will be available five (5) months after receiving the second dose. France will reopen 300 vaccination centers to assist with the booster shot campaign.

- People age 65 and older must receive a booster dose by December 15, or their health pass will expire.

- People age 18-64 must receive a booster within seven (7) months after their second dose or their health pass will expire beginning on January 15, 2022. 

- Temporary health passes based on a negative COVID test will be reduced to 24 hours, rather than the current 72 hours, beginning on November 29. 

- Wearing a face mask indoors is again mandatory in all public indoor spaces as of November 25, regardless of vaccination status. Local authorities have the authority to require face masks outside in certain areas, such as Christmas markets.

- Vaccines for children will not begin before the end of the year, after the French health authority has had time to examine the issue, including the European Medicines Agency's November 25 approval of the vaccine for this age group.

- School rules for elementary schools will change November 29. Under the new rules, when a student in an elementary class tests positive, all the students will be tested, but those who test negative will be allowed to return to class.

Last Week

Last Week

Normal news for the week - it's definitely Summer! Here was our forecast (and this next week looks similar)! We made it to the beach (and even found parking on a Saturday!).

However, daily life in France took a huge swing, thanks to the combination of the Delta variant of COVID-19, and the beginning of Summer vacations.

Here in Sète, our hospital finally came down to zero covid patients! But that didn't last - there were suddenly 3 new ones, with 2 in ICU. To note, none of the 3 were vaccinated. This is in line with reports that across France, 96% of all new cases are people who have not been vaccinated.

The Delta variant is sweeping through France. The good news is that full vaccinations are very effective against it - here's a table from a MedCram YouTube.

Still, the variant is much more contagious, and the vaccination rate had started to decline in France. 

The "Health Pass" law, proposed 6 days ago, passed today. The Health Pass shows that someone is either fully vaccinated, or has a recent negative COVID-19 test. It is now, or soon will be, required in order to do an awful lot of things - enter large commercial centers, theaters, festivals, restaurants, trains, planes (but not automobiles). The new law also requires all health workers to be vaccinated, or face suspension. The day after the proposed law was laid out, Doctolib, the website for making vaccine appointments, crashed - there were nearly a million requests for appointments...

Here in Sète, the first big festival of the Summer was first postponed, then reduced to the essentials on one Sunday. The final, huge festival of the Summer was completely cancelled (for the 2nd year in a row, thanks again to covid). No Saint-Pierre, no Saint-Louis.

~~~

MedCram: https://youtu.be/hXV7i1yxu6c

Health Pass news:

https://apnews.com/article/europe-business-health-government-and-politics-france-ecc7d4345abf159920bbe36a3b2fefb7

Accelerated Deconfinement

Our news today is pretty good! The statistics for coronavirus in France have been steadily improving, to the point that the government accelerated certain aspects of our deconfinement:

- as of today, masks are not required outdoors, except for certain crowded situations 

- as of this Sunday, curfew will be cancelled

Our charts: 

Daily Deaths well below 100 - and dropping

Daily New Cases well below 5,000 - and dropping 

Our vaccination statistics:

With a population of 66.7 million, we're closing in on having half of us vaccinated with at least one dose. France has stretched out the time between the doses to increase the availability of first doses - it's just now been opened to teenagers. The number of fully vaccinated people is speeding up a bit.

This shows the older population - basically, the people we hang out with are mostly vaccinated now.

To break things up, here is our sky from mid-May

Then, just a little later the same evening

~~~

For more info:

https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210616-covid-19-face-masks-in-france-no-longer-obligatory-outdoors-from-thursday-curfew-to-be-lifted-sunday-french-pm

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/france/

https://about.doctolib.fr/vaccination/statistiques.html

Deconfinement III

One week ago, France began its third Deconfinement. As before, it's a gradual loosening, rather than a sudden stop to all the rules. Here's a chart (yes, in French), showing what sorts of things will be opening up, and when.

Basically, 

- last Monday, people were allowed to travel around France again - during this confinement, we had to stay within 10 km of home, unless we had a specific reason, from an approved list, and we documented it. We still have a 7pm curfew. We still have a mask requirement, and that is not set to end any time soon.

- starting May 19, restaurants (outside, not inside), theaters, and businesses can open. Restaurants have been closed for 7 months! Curfew moves to 9pm.

- starting June 9, everything will be open except for nightclubs, and some telecommuting will still be required. Curfew moves to 11pm.

- June 30, everything is lifted, except that nightclubs will still be closed.

So, how's this been working out? Today's news is that the number of covid-19 patients in ICU finally dropped to below 5000. Our vaccination numbers are still not great, but are improving, with 26% of the adult population having received at least one dose. That's a 41% improvement over the week from the previous week. If this continues, we'll have 50% vaccinated by the end of June.

And, our daily new coronavirus cases are still dropping

Daily deaths are still flat, but there's hope for a drop soon.

We have variants, including 20 cases of the Indian variant reported as of today. The hope is that the boosters being tested now to cover these will be available by the end of the year.

Julie's French Nationality Interview

Julie's French Nationality Interview

Yesterday, we both went to the Montpellier préfecture for my French nationality interview! This is the most important (and stressful) step in the nationality process - SPOILER ALERT! - it went well!

Marianne and me, 11 years ago!

On to the details! 

The Prep

Two months ago, I got a letter from the préfecture, giving us this appointment. (http://slowtravelin.blogspot.com/2021/02/julies-french-nationality-interviews.html) 

Because of covid, we also got extra instructions about handling documents and arriving at the préfecture. All new documents would have to be in plastic pouches, untouched for the 48 hours before the appointment. Masks would be required, sanitation gel would be plentiful. 

I pulled together the "take" file over time, with lots of "just in case" documents.

- As requested in the letter:

-- our most recent rent receipt (April's came too late, so we used March's)

-- copy of Rick's ID (the expiration date was extended, but it looks expired, so we also included a copy of his passport)

-- copies of our last 4 years of taxes. The last 3 were easy, since they were downloadable and French. But we needed our US taxes for 2016 for the 4th year, and that had to be translated.

- As expected, based on the instructions for the original dossier list:

-- copy of my new carte de séjour (my submitted dossier had my card with old address plus the récépissé for the new one)

-- original CNF

-- original DELF certificate (I never received the diploma, but the results certificate was fine to use)

-- original (mailed) copy of my FBI report

-- original parents' birth certificates

- As possibly needed, from the new dossier list, published in February:

-- my original passport plus copy

As unlikely, but possibly helpful:

-- my parents' marriage certificate plus copy (not translated)

-- Rick's updated French birth certificate, showing his CNF as a margin note

-- old documents for communauté de vie (1998, 2005, 2013)

-- livret de famille plus copy

I made a list of likely questions, based on what others had experienced, and we started practicing. Usually, the interview includes a question related to current news, and tying it to the French motto (eg, when Simone Veil died, a question was "who was she, and what was she known for?" or, when Samuel Paty was killed, there were questions about laïcité and freedom of speech). We tried to guess what that "big topic" would be.

We dug out the GPS, updated maps, charged it,and entered the parking garage location. I gassed up the car, and cleaned the windows. We unpacked our "real-see-other-people-clothes." And, as we had just entered our 3rd confinement, we filled out our attestation for going farther than 10km.

We left the house at 9:15, and were safely parked and waiting in the courtyard by 10:15 (even though I had forgotten the entire file in the car, and had to go back for it!). We had to show IDs and the appointment letter to the guard (and get "wanded" as usual). Someone came outside periodically to let people in - it wasn't crowded, and we saw several people enter and leave in just the few minutes we waited. We were early enough, and they let us in to use the bathrooms (gel, gel, back outside).

The Interview (45 minutes)

The agent, "IM," met us in the courtyard and took us to her office. Something to note: agents don't tell you their names, even when asked - they are agents of the state. You don't know anything about them before meeting them (and very little even afterwards)!

Once in her office, there was a plexiglass partition, but we still all kept our masks on (although she pulled hers away from her face when asking me questions, as I had a hard time understanding what was said). She looked through the documents we had been told to bring, and returned the extra ones. She wasn't interested in seeing any originals, and didn't need the copy of my new carte de séjour. She returned the remaining self-addressed stamped envelope from my dossier, and the plastic pockets that held the new documents. 

Then she asked if we had ever had a problem in our marriage that caused us to live apart - we said no, and she had us sign a document saying so. Then she asked me how many brothers and sisters I had - when I answered, she said that I would have to send her (by email) each of *their* birth certificates (translated, but not apostilled)! This was a new requirement for dossiers, and basically, when she received them, she would add them to my dossier - it would not proceed without them. She gave me a récépissé, including information on how to keep the préfecture up to date on our address and situation. Then I went to a waiting room while she asked Rick some questions, and then we traded places. At the end of my turn, she said that it had been a good interview, and she would send the dossier on to the minister of the interior. I expected to sign the Charte de Droits et Devoirs, but it never came up. I asked 2 questions then: 

I mentioned that the gendarmes hadn't visited or questioned us, and she said not to worry, that they don't always do that. My dossier was fine without their investigation.

I asked if she thought I would be able to vote in the presidential election next year, and she couldn't say. I said, no, of course not, but I had to ask...

I gathered my things, we collected Rick, and she showed us the door (literally, not figuratively, LOL!).

By the time we got home and I turned on my phone, she had called to tell me that I didn't need my siblings' birth certificates, that that requirement didn't apply to me! Whew! that's 250€ we don't have to spend, and a lot of time we don't have to waste!

Over all she was friendly, careful, and accommodating.

Questions we were each asked:

+-- What do we do together?

+-- Our plans for the future.

+-- Do you rent or own? an apartment or house?

Questions for Rick alone:

+- Where/how/when did we meet?

+- Where did Rick work, what did he do, and since when. When did he retire? He explained US pensions.

+ Where and as what did Julie work?

+ Where have you lived?

+ You rent now; do you have plans to buy a house?

Questions for me alone:

-- Am I a member of any associations? Am I an officer?

-- Do/did I work? Where? 

-- What qualifications/degrees do I have in the US? Obtained when?

- Did I know French before arriving? (I got extra points for studying at the Alliance française 😊)

-- Why do I want to become French?

- Why did we come to France in 2017? Why Sète?

-- Do we plan to stay in France?

-- Do I have mostly French or foreign friends 

-- What language do we speak at home (explain why)

- Does he have relatives in France?

Questions for me alone, from the livret du citoyen, and current "big topic":

-- What is the national anthem called? 

-- What is the devise (motto) of France? ( I answered simply, "liberté, égalité, et fraternité")

-- Explain fraternité 

-- What is laïcité, and what does it mean to me. Is it a good thing? 

- covid-19 - where do I get my info (internet, TV)

~~~

~~~

Questions I had prepared for, but wasn't asked:

- Date of our marriage, how and where it was celebrated 

- How about my parents? 

- Do they come to visit France? 

- How are relationship with in-laws?

- traditional French dishes I make? (chichoumai, poulet roti)

- Why did it take so long to request nationality?

- Who suggested my becoming French?

- date and circumstances of arrival in France

- did we live together before marriage?

- who attended our wedding?

- Do we go to the cinema? (TV, theater, etc)

- Do we travel together or separate? What countries have we visited? What regions of France?

- Do we do the grocery shopping together or separate?

- What household chores do we each do? (finances, cooking...)

- Colors of the flag, are the stripes vertical or horizontal?

- What are the symbols of France

- What stands out to me from the Charte de Droits et Devoirs?

- What is the first line of the national anthem?

- Three values (devise) of France: cite an example and how it affects your daily life?

- What are the droits et devoirs d'un citoyen (taxes, voting, etc)

- when did laïcité become law?

- What is democracy

- 14 July significance

- What elections I can vote in once French 

- Name any 3 presidents of France

- Who is the premier ministre 

- The name of the maire of our town, le préfet de Montpellier

- the date of the revolution, principles of the republic and who Simone Veil was

- what date slavery was abolished in france (1794/1848), what date french women got the vote (1944), date death penalty abolished (illégal 1981, constitution 2007)

- religious symbols - where can they be worn? (public)

~~~

Added costs:

90€ USA 2016 tax declaration

7,30€ parking and tolls

~~~

My post on my dossier is here:

http://slowtravelin.blogspot.com/2020/01/julies-french-nationality.html

My timeline so far - Montpellier, via marriage:

January 31, 2020 - mailed dossier

March-May 2020 - préfecture closed due to covid

June 30, 2020 - accepted

February 9, 2021 - received mail with appointment information.

April 8, 2021 - Préfecture interview

April Fool? No!

April Fool? No! I have to wonder if that's why President Macron addressed the nation last night, instead of today...

We in France have some new rules - we are entering our 3rd confinement, triggered by these data:

This doesn't even tell the whole story - most of French hospitals are at (or beyond) ICU capacity, and we're seeing quite a rise in the more-contagious-more-deadly variants. We have 3 approved vaccines, and the most plentiful one, AstraZeneca, has been plagued with problems - and (AND!) has no proof that it is effective at all against the South Africa type of variant.

We already have very strict travel rules in place. For example, an American can leave France, but unless it falls under a very limited set of reasons, there's no guarantee he will be let back in (even if he has a residence permit or French (dual) citizenship). One reason allowed, just to give you the idea, is a death or life-threatening illness of someone in your direct line (so, a parent, but not a parent-in-law). Besides stating the reason, you also have to provide proof (e.g., a death certificate, and proof of your relationship). Incredibly, I still see posts from people who expect to claim that they need a mental health break - it's as if they can't read at all - or have selective blindness...

Well! So, our new confinement starts Saturday, with these rules:

1. You are limited to travel within 10 km of your residence during the day and you must carry proof of address. 
2. Interregional travel is banned beginning the evening of April 5. (That's Easter Monday, if anyone is counting)
3. Non-essential services are closed for the month of April. 
4. Schools will move to distance learning the week of April 5, and spring break for schools nationwide is moved to April 12-23. Preschools and elementary schools are scheduled to reopen in-person April 26, while middle and high school classes will return to distance learning until May 3. 
5. Limited social gatherings of up to six people are allowed outside. 
6. Any travel beyond 10 km during the day requires an approved reason as listed on an attestation form.
7. During the nightly curfew (7 p.m. - 6 a.m.), you may only leave your residence for commuting to and from work, medical appointments, essential family duties such as caring for children or the elderly, walking a pet, or other limited reasons and you must carry an exemption certificate.

Beach Walk with Friends

Today, we met some friends and took a fantastic beach walk together! It totalled about 5 miles, and ended with a little apéro and mock interview for nationality on their balcony (cocktails helped...)!

There were more than a few suggestions on how to present ourselves better (ok, that's really "myself") - words to avoid, arguments to make, etc. 

We realized that we hadn't meet with friends, in person, in FIVE months! That's just too long. But today was a celebration of sorts - all four of us have had our first vaccine! We all had a sense of relief...

Can't Decide

I can't decide which sunset photo I like better...

In other news, we ordered Thai take-out! We're passing time until we can go pick it up - today's the last day of our 8pm curfew; tomorrow, it starts at 6pm. 

Coronavirus Year End Update

Coronavirus Year End Update

Today, in France:

- 3.5% of the population currently has Covid-19

- 0.1% have died from Covid-19

- daily new cases are still above 10,000

- daily deaths are still nearly 500

Before our second confinement, hospitals were at or nearly at capacity, all across France. Our local hospital had nearly 100 Covid patients.

The goal of the second confinement was to consistently have fewer than 5,000 new cases per day - obviously, this wasn't met. The good news is that the number still dropped significantly. So our confinement was slightly eased, but not as much as hoped. 

And of course, the best news is that the vaccine is here! They've started in the nursing homes in Paris, and they'll start here next week! There are different schedules published, so we aren't sure whether we'll get ours in April or in June/July. Still, it's in sight!

~~~

In Sète, as of today, 83 patients have died in the Sète hospital (Bassin de Thau) from Covid-19, just in the second wave. Three died in the last week. The average age of these patients is 83 years.

This week, 13 new patients were admitted, making 19 patients hospitalized, including 6 in ICU. 

Since the start of the 2nd wave, 442 Covid patients have been taken care of.

~~~

Worldometer

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/france/

Corona-Normal Update

 And now it's over 32,000...

Corona-Normal

One thing that always comes up, no matter who we talk to, is the current state of the coronavirus where we live.

Well, France is definitely in a second wave, and new rules seem to be announced every week. Today's number of new cases is the highest yet, at over 30,000. Already, yesterday's graphs here are outdated. The only good news is that *so far* most of the people in France who get covid are younger, and so our death rate is lower now. When you consider that our first-wave death rate was 30%, that's pretty important progress. But, can it last?

Our Corona-Normal? We still stay home except for things like grocery shopping and exercise - no dinner parties, no coffee klatches, and my English workshop is 100% by email. I always wear a mask outside the house and when someone has to come inside (like my chauffagiste and my CPAP technician). I bleach-wipe everything I used when I get into my car after shopping. I use a disposable paper towel to handle doors coming and going. The hardest part is avoiding spending time with people - we greet our neighbors when we see them, but any usual excuse to visit or chat a while is discarded.

Macron (the French president) gave a speech plus Q&A a couple of nights ago. 

Here are some of my notes:

• 90% of deaths in France are over 65
• 32k deaths since the beginning, of which the first wave accounted for 30k. The second wave took 2k.
• Half of those now in ICU are under 65
• 200 people per day are admitted to ICU
• Paris and 8 other cities, including Montpellier, will have 6 weeks of curfew 9pm-6am, backed by fines, then be reevaluated
• He expects these and other efforts to curb the virus will be the norm through all of 2021
• France is heading towards more use of saliva/nose quick test
• Bottom line - we need each other.

~~~

Although Montpellier, our closest large city, is on the mandatory curfew list, Sète is not (yet). But we do have a set of rules:

• Masks required throughout the town
• Events limited to 1,000 people
• Local and student parties prohibited
• School trips outside the department prohibited
• Restaurants and bars close at midnight and night grocery stores at 10pm
• Sale of alcohol prohibited after 8pm and consumption in public spaces prohibited after 8pm

Rules change quickly here - on August 17, this was the map showing where masks were required. Less than a week later, the map disappeared, and mask-wearing became defined by the city limits. This mandate so far has been extended every 2 weeks.

~~~

In Sète, as of October 16, 2020, 11 patients have died in the Sète hospital (Bassin de Thau) from covid-19. The average age of these patients is 88 years.

Since October 9, 2020, 9 more patients have been hospitalized, bringing the total number to 23 today. The situation remains stable in intensive care with still 4 patients.

Since the start of the 2nd wave, 94 Covid patients have been taken care of (+ 20 in 7 days).

Our testing is at 70 per day with a positivity rate of 8% over the last week.

~~~

Worldometer

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/france/

Statistics by region and department

https://www.coronavirus-statistiques.com/stats-departement/coronavirus-nombre-de-cas-herault/

and

https://www.cascoronavirus.fr/

Macron's speech (English translators)

https://www.france24.com/en/20201014-live-macron-expected-to-announce-tougher-covid-19-measures-as-france-s-cases-rise

Current Sète hospital situation:

https://lesinguliersete.fr/bassin-de-thau-covid-19-le-point-sur-les-hopitaux-du-bassin-de-thau/

Current Sète rules:

https://www.sete.fr/informations-coronavirus/

Doing What We Can

 We're doing what we can...

Crispy fluffy baked potato

Cherry chocolate chipotle pork tenderloin

A lovely red...

Bonne Fête Nationale

Bonne Fête Nationale !
Joyeux 14 juillet !
Happy Bastille Day!
And Of Course, Happy Birthday, Michele!

While quite a few firework displays were cancelled in France this year due to coronavirus, we did *hear* several around the étang. This is our first summer in our new apartment, and our ability to view the usual fireworks is significantly less. So, we turned to the television to see the Paris fireworks! Here is a YouTube capture (https://youtu.be/PGWaqFsaseI) - enjoy!

Socializing Again

We're starting to socialize again, in a limited way. So far, it's all been outdoors, and we've been keeping a good distance.

Picnicking has a prominent place in our lives now...

Tomorrow will be our first time dining out in a restaurant (well, not "in" - we'll be on the terrace 🙂 ) - we're keeping warm thoughts of an apéro for a later time.

Cancellations and Refunds

We just received the last of our refunds for our trip-that-was-not. 

Every one of our six flights - Norwegian Air, Southwest, and Air France - was cancelled! Even though we bought our entire trip as non-refundable, because we waited for them to cancel, we had the option for a refund, and took it.

Our Airbnb in New Orleans also cancelled and refunded.

We did have to jump through some hoops, but eventually World Nomads refunded our trip insurance as well.

The one place that doesn't seem to be able to refund, despite their assurances on their website, is Expedia, for Quality Inn. Fortunately, we only had one night booked for our arrival.

UPDATE July 13 - finally used the last of our reimbursed funds; we've been using them for groceries 😉

Bread. Again.

Bread. Again...

Yep, I tried it again! This time, I bought some compressed yeast from my boulangerie (exceptionnellement - that is, they don't usually sell it, but will now because of the shortages in the stores).
Mine's not nearly as good as theirs, but it's still tasty!

~~~
Last time: http://slowtravelin.blogspot.com/2020/05/bread-patience.html

Self Isolation in Photos

One of my online groups recently had a photo competition, with the theme "Self Isolation." This was a very interesting challenge, and fun to think about. Oddly enough, it took my mind off feeling Self Isolated, while focusing on it.

Here's what the judges had to say about it:
"One definition of "art" in the Cambridge Dictionary is "the making of objects, images, music, etc. that are beautiful and/or that express feelings."
"Self Isolation" is a difficult subject - it's likely to engender strong emotions, often unpleasant, such as claustrophobia, loneliness, frustration, jealousy, impatience. But emotions don't photograph easily; the photographer must choose scenes that express either his/her own emotions or those sympathetically perceived in others."

We were allowed 5 entries - 2 of mine were rated 🙂

Judges commented:
"A claustrophobic, "shuttered in" apartment view, with a tantalising glimpse of sunshine and freedom outside…"

Judges commented:
"Desperation in the crazy framing - is this the last sight before she jumps, or is she jealous of the dad and boy making the best of it?"
My answer - 😉 this was really one of the best moments of each day - it provided so much emotional relief from the ongoing anxiety, and joy in the playtime still possible.

3 were not rated 🙂

My first day out during confinement, I improvised a mask - this was a quick, fun picture, steamed glasses and all. A little humor counteracted some of the inherent fear of going out and doing what needed to be done.

Each evening at 8pm, our community would go to windows and balconies for "Le Clapping," applauding the healthcare workers dealing with the coronavirus fallout. We forged a few bonds, adding a wave across the parking lot.
For this photo, I really wanted a distant look, and got the grainy texture I was looking for. But I really would have liked to have the lady on her balcony in sharp focus as well - I didn't have a good tool for that. :-\

I was curious how the judges would compare this picture and the other "shuttered" view. I liked the added oppressed feeling from the darker shutter here, but the "missing out" feeling is stronger with the balconies showing in the other one.

The End of Confinement

The End of Confinement - for now...
Tonight ends 2 months of official confinement in France, at least for the green zones. That's a big chunk of France, but doesn't include Paris, and doesn't include the North-East corner.
What it really means for us is that we don't need an attestation to leave the house. We can drive somewhere "different" (but within 100 km). Parks and forests are open, but not beaches (yet). More businesses will be open, but not restaurants.

Mainly, it just feels like I can breathe again.
Fly free.
But with a mask ;-)