The EU are on a collision course with the UK over vaccines.

I listened to the speech (in French). What I heard was that they weren't going to allow the situation to get bad enough that doctors had to choose between who lives and who dies. I also think he worded it and delivered it to make the audience feel they were all in it together.

Bon courage, nos amis français.

As was done on the UK, cutting down on other operations and using the staff. Moreover in France there is a sort of private sector which can work with the public one and they are being called on to help.

Alegrias1

I listened to the speech (in French). What I heard was that they weren't going to allow the situation to get bad enough that doctors had to choose between who lives and who dies. I also think he worded it and delivered it to make the audience feel they were all in it together.

^Bon courage, nos amis français.^

Thank you. What is printed in the press is not what is happening on the ground.

Le tri des malades n’est pas une option, ça ne l’a jamais été et ça ne le sera jamais."
Attal

SkyNews have just announced another national lockdown in France. Is this reporting correct?

It is a little stricter, that is to say the whole of France is touched not only the certains departments like the last few weeks. I have just watched the BBC news and they are not translating correctly, “they have had to chose and there will be no need to chose who is to be treated.” Moreover the schools are not closing for three weeks because of covid but one week closed and two weeks are the holidays.

There is a curfew from 7pm to 6 am all over France.

Only grocery shops, garages etc are open ... and hairdressers but not gyms. Dentists and medical are open.

SORRY. typed wrong. They have NOT had to chose and will not have to chose.

Translation from Ellianne’s post:

Sorting the sick is not an option, it never has been and it never will be. "
Attal

Just on SKY news now (The Press Preview)

“Germany has over 4 million doses of the AZ vaccine in fridges right now - why on EARTH are they not using it?”

Regards the French lockdown ... Three weeks?
It didn't work for Wales. Why should it work for France?

I’m off to my bed, with this thought:

If Covid cases are really out of control in France (Paris, the NE and Nice it seems) , there is going to be some fallout across France - pretty unavoidable.

Yes Macron and Merkel have been completely malevolent in their attempt to damage the rollout there and yes, they both deserve every humiliation. But this is also about millions of citizens just like us, many of whom must be feeling afraid and helpless.

Thanks for translating Urmstongran. I had meant to but was busy watching the Jane Austen programme on Channel 5.
Interesting that on Twitter Marine Le Penn writes that the measures announced by Macron this evening are as a result of a vaccine Waterloo. Ironic! She says Macron will not accept responsibility for this.

To be fair I think I did catch him say something along the lines of "I do feel sorry for those of you who have not been vaccinated."

Macron is not saying AZ is unsafe. He very unwisely made some negative remarks to a small group of journalists a couple of months ago. It was widely reported in the UK but not in France. He has since made many statements supporting its use. He made a mistake and put it right.
What is it with all this Macron hatred and anti-French stuff?
The French lunchtime news quite often carries very positive UK news, there was a lovely one a couple of days ago about a boy raising money for a hospice.
It all seems a bit sad really.

Urmstongran

Just on SKY news now (The Press Preview)

“Germany has over 4 million doses of the AZ vaccine in fridges right now - why on EARTH are they not using it?”

Maybe because they're keeping them to guarantee second doses?

Exactly that growstuff
Just to be clear, I am not suggesting that everyone on here is anti French or German. Quite clearly not. But there are elements of the British press and public opinion that seem to have a distorted and overly negative view of other leaders, especially Merkel and Macron. Much of the reporting and comment is inaccurate, frequently distorted and some downright lies. Clearly both leaders have both got things wrong in the course of the pandemic and both have apologised for doing so. Has anybody got it right from the beginning? Would it be reasonable to expect that they had?
It almost feels as if some people want to make the UK sound good by making other countries sound worse. Surely not?

I agree with you absolutely Mamie.

Politics, PR, press reporting and public opinion all need unpicking to find out what's really going on.

Tut tut! I'm sure nobody in the UK would have any interest in making other countries, particularly France and Germany, seem worse.

It would suggest a basic level of insecurity wouldn't it growstuff.
This report in the local gives a very clear account of where we are. The percentage of under 60s in intensive care is shocking.
www.thelocal.fr/20210331/macron-to-announce-latest-french-health-restrictions-in-live-tv-broadcast/

Interesting that Americans are keen to promote jab owned by US-owned Pfizer, while Germans are keen to remind Americans that the vaccine was developed in a German lab.

I think it's sad that the ugly face of nationalism has crept into vaccination.

Yes, I think it would Mamie.

I must admit I was quite shocked to read about the number of relatively young people in intensive care in France.

Yes vaccine nationalism is very sad I think.
Interesting to see that extra intensive care beds are to be supported by the army. We are in a red zone with cases at about 225 per 100,000 in our département, but pressure on intensive care is still only 35%. The regional variations are remarkable.

I went to bed last night genuinely worrying about the French situation as the numbers are so high. And I know my daughter’s partner cannot wait to be able to fly out to Germany to see his grandmother who is in her mid-90’s. He is her only grandchild and much adored. Time isn’t on her side and he is anxious about her.

I hoe the article from The Local helped answer some of your questions Ug.

...hope