Testimony: They are French but live in the United Kingdom where the government is counting on collective immunity to fight the Coronavirus. These 4 expatriate women confide in their concerns and the current climate on the other side of the Channel.
Faced with the Coronavirus pandemic, the British government has taken the gamble on collective immunity. It is a matter of waiting until enough people are reached so that the entire population is protected from the disease. In the UK, estimates that predict 55,000 cases of Covid-19 are judged "reasonable". A final death toll of 20,000 or less from Coronavirus would be considered "a good result".
On Monday evening, March 16, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged people to avoid unnecessary contact and displacement. He then advised the elderly and pregnant women to isolate themselves for three months before encouraging his fellow citizens to postpone travel. "not essential".
Measures taken in the UK are often seen as lax by other countries. But what do the British and French expatriates living on the other side of the Channel think about it? Mathilde Allemand Briand, nursery nurse, Flore Jones, young mother and medical secretary, Elodie Gaillard, accompanist for people with autism and learning disabilities and Morgane, director of service currently pregnant, give us their testimony.
What do you think of the UK measures "less radical" than their neighboring countries?
Mathilde Allemand Briand: I think the UK has tried an interesting strategy on paper but it may prove to be perilous for the country. Indeed, the division of the population into 3 categories (A: people at risk, B: caregivers, C: Others) with missions such as making the country go around for group C is rather interesting but I think that reality will be everything other. This beautiful calculation does not take into account the psychological and emotional aspect of the situation. The idea would be that group B gently heals A while C is spinning the country. What if A and B survive but C does not?
Flora Jones: I think the measurements are too light. In addition, the healthcare system in the UK is not functional. I don’t know if it’s a lack of staff, a lack of information or too lax a population with their health.
Elodie Gaillard: I think the measures taken by the British government are linked to the number of cases so it envisages complete isolation only as a last resort. Containment has negative effects on a country's economy, although health is of the utmost importance. I think the government does not want to create panic. The measures are evolving and will harden by this weekend.
Morgan : I am currently 4 months pregnant, so I am now considered "at risk" in the UK. Naturally, I am not reassured to see that the state does not really take measures to protect people like me. Here, people continue to live normally: pubs and schools are open and I see very few people taking precautions while wearing masks or whatever. This seems completely irresponsible to me, especially when I see France in parallel who ordered general confinement.
What is the general opinion of the British regarding this decision?
Mathilde Allemand Briand: I have had a rather strange feeling for the past few days, the younger generations are not used to being disturbed in their comfort. A kind of collective fear is being born in the face of this virus, there is a lot of information contradicting each other. This uncertain atmosphere highlights the aggressiveness in some people. For the moment, the tension is palpable but most of the population continues to go about their business.
Flora Jones: The British I know took this epidemic as a joke. As if the virus would never reach the island. Some young mothers have told me that they and their children are safe because the virus does not survive on planes.
Elodie Gaillard: I think that some await more protective decisions from the population such as the closing of schools and maximum encouragement of telework. The government only makes recommendations. Firmer decisions have to be made.
Morgan : I find it hard to realize because I have made the decision to isolate myself at home for a week to avoid any risk of contamination. Most of my friends here are young and healthy, they don't seem to take any special measures, and continue to go to work every day. My job does not allow working at home and so are many of my friends. Their main concern at the moment is to support a salary as best they can in the face of a government that does not offer many alternatives to financially help those who cannot turn to telework. I myself lost 70% of my salary by choosing to isolate myself to protect my health and that of my baby.
When many expatriates have returned to France, why choose to stay in the UK?
Mathilde Allemand Briand: I chose to stay because first, I am a nursery nurse. I wanted to stay with my clients and my team. A captain does not abandon his ship. And secondly, I think traveling today would be taking an additional risk of contamination for my family and friends whom I would join in the south of France. So I prefer to let the storm pass alone in London.
Flora Jones: We are staying here because my husband is the site manager and he is the one who will have to be present if containment takes place. In addition, we would have returned to his parents who are over 60 years old. Her father has a heart condition and her mother had breast cancer last year. They are too fragile to take the risk of contaminating them.
Elodie Gaillard: To be honest, I didn't ask myself that question. This is my place of residence, which is why I prefer to stay here. I love my country and my loved ones but I don't really have a home in France. I feel more secure in England because the advance of the virus is more important in France.
Morgan : I came to the UK about 2 and a half years ago for my Masters in cinema before starting to work. I love my job, I love the opportunities that have been given to me here. London is a vibrant city full of surprises, I had the chance to meet people with whom I have created strong relationships. My companion is Argentinian but we live together and have created our "adult life" here. I do not see myself leaving at the moment, especially since my pregnancy is followed here. We also have a cat and it is impossible to bring it with us to France by plane or train, even less in these circumstances. It is out of the question to leave him alone in our apartment. Our small family therefore remains in London, between the four walls of our small apartment until further notice.
Do you plan to voluntarily limit your trips or continue to live normally?
Mathilde Allemand Briand: Since last Friday, I have canceled my home visits and reduced my trips to avoid being an active vector of the disease. I offer families a video conference follow-up. Unfortunately, here, people are in denial and do not respect the precautionary rules.
Flora Jones: We have already started to limit our travel and our exchanges with other people. Staying home is easier with a 6 month old baby.
Elodie Gaillard: I am on vacation this week, I had already planned to have a week in slow motion where I indulge in my favorite activities. Based on current events and government decisions, I plan to limit long trips across London to see my friends. On the other hand, I would continue to go out to go to the parks near my home in order to breathe a little fresh air and maintain a certain lifestyle.
Morgan : Absolutely. I voluntarily put myself in confinement and my companion at the possibility of teleworking. Our daily life has therefore completely changed since last week. We limit our outings to a few short walks outside of rush hour. We order our races on the internet and try to keep a routine in containment.
Has the daily life of the British changed?
Mathilde Allemand Briand: If you consider that shopping for the next 6 months and buying 25 boxes of paracetamol per person is a life-changing then yes. Otherwise, not really. On Sunday, people were in the pub and at the start of the week, transport and public places remained accessible. Of course, there is a drop in activity and attendance, but there are people on the streets.
Flora Jones: The daily life of the British people I meet has not changed except for the way they consume. They buy more from the supermarket. Wanting to clear customs, I have heard several times say: I am not robbing, I just take everything in duplicate …
Elodie Gaillard: I don't think everyday life has changed yet. The only thing that shows that the virus is present is the supermarkets. Unlike usual, I'm having trouble finding all the food I want.
Morgan : Not enough for my taste. I think more stringent measures should be taken. The most vulnerable physically, mentally and financially should in particular receive help!
What guidelines are given to you to limit the spread of the virus?
Mathilde Allemand Briand: For now, the guidelines are to wash your hands, avoid braces, and continue your activity to avoid the financial downfall. If you have a fever, you should "isolate yourself".
Flora Jones: The guidelines are to wash your hands. In my opinion it is not enough. The majority of young people in school are healthy carriers and do not wash them every time.
Elodie Gaillard: The instructions are to wash your hands regularly, to wear a mask if you are sick, to contact the National Health Service in the event of symptoms of the virus then to avoid crowded and nonessential places. This last point seems quite difficult for a city like London.
Morgan : Very little. Wash your hands regularly for more than 20 seconds, avoid direct contact with other people. I do not find the guidelines very clear for people at risk. The government recommends a period of "social distance"of 12 weeks but does not ask us not to go to work if telework is not an option, which leaves us without the possibility of receiving financial assistance. However, going to his place of work implies taking the tube, walk in central London and be in contact with colleagues who are not taking any special measures to protect themselves from the virus. It is difficult for me to know which approach is best. The most responsible seems to me to be simply stay home to avoid the risk of contagion.
Did you think the virus would spread so quickly around the world?
Mathilde Allemand Briand: Yes I thought so and I also think he could mutate. Therefore, it could be even more difficult for the human body to bear.
Flora Jones: Currently on maternity leave, I listen to the French media more than the British. At the beginning of January, I already mentioned the risks of an epidemic, I was very apprehensive for my baby. But I thought the epidemic would hit the UK before some countries like Italy.
Elodie Gaillard: I never imagined such a spread and almost total containment in many countries. I thought it would only stay in Asia with very few cases in Europe.
Morgan : Not at all. I remember watching the news when the epidemic started in China and telling myself that it was completely crazy. I was one of those people who thought it was nothing serious, that you shouldn't worry. We traveled to France when the first cases started to appear and things started to become critical in Italy. When we returned, there was no case in London. In less than a week, there were a hundred. I fear that the UK will be affected by this epidemic longer than other European countries if strict measures are not taken quickly.
Are you worried about your health?
Mathilde Allemand Briand: I'm not worried about my health, I think I'm going to have it and I'm ready. I am worried about my family, friends, clients and staff.
Flora Jones: I am no longer worried about my health or that of my baby and my husband. We are all 3 in good health, if we were to be reached, the symptoms should be not serious. I am more worried about my in-laws.
Elodie Gaillard: I am serene. I work in the health sector, so my immune system is strengthened. I have been taking vitamins for a few weeks to boost my immune system. I rest as soon as I can and eat healthy. I try to cultivate positive thinking as much as possible, which has a huge impact on the body and mind.
Morgan : Yes. Especially since I don't feel like I can count on the government to protect us. I already consider myself lucky that my employer does not force me to go to work despite the situation and offers me several options. This is not the case for everyone. Being pregnant during this epidemic, especially for the first time, is difficult. It’s another level of worry for me. I really hope that our little family will get through this healthy time.
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