We are indeed lucky to live where we are. Only an hour or so away from the ski slopes in the winter and an hour away from the long and large sunny beaches of the Côte Vermeille (Golf du Lion) in the summer. Day trips are more than possible and indeed this is what we did earlier this week.
The destination was Plage Biquet which is located on Leucate Plage and is famous in the area for its restaturant. Reservations are a must for the restaurant.
As a consequence of the current Corona Virus outbreak, the beach was empty of visitors for most of the day. The restaurant however filled up as from 12:30. I suspect a few people have their lunch break there. Not a bad life style.
We have already reserved for next week
We are trying another spot along the coast at the end of the week
June like other months this year simply flew by. One explanation could be that it was the month de-confinement started and we were allowed to go out without having to produce an exemption certificate. Bars and restaurants re-opened as well. Here is the south of France bistrot terrasses are well frequented.
Not much planned this month. I think we were expecting to have visitors from family and friends but this is not going to happen. Not too worry, there are plenty of things to do locally and we can enjoy the not so crowded local beaches.
It has been a hot day today. Right now 7pm, the temperature is still around the 30° mark but fortunately there is a very pleasant and welcomed light breeze. Most comfortable to relax, sip a non-alcoholic drink and watch something or rather in my tablet.
Just came back from voting for the second round of the local municipal elections. Bumped in the current mayor who was walking out of the poll sation. I wonder who he voted for.
Anyway, duty is done. I shall not bother watching TV this evening and the numerous programs on predictions and eventually results. I’ll wait for the headlines tomorrow.
Our national Marianne
It does not look like the turn out is particularly good so far
Today was my original target date but I am pretty upset by the fact I have not lost an ounce of weight. Quite on the contrary in fact. So I shall extend this “detox” period by another 2 weeks renewable on a fortnight basis.
I was sent out to the bottle bank to get rid of the empties from the past few days. I certainly was not responsible for any of it. Quite nice feeling actually.
As far as the weight issue is concerned, I have to report a major lack of exercise in the past 2 to 3 months. So as from tomorrow there will be an additional new goal and cardio exercises for 1 hour every day (not necessarily in one go). Let us see how long that lasts.
The world is currently approaching fast the 10 million cases mark.
These are alarming figures and in particular in South America and US southern states.
We see more and more people ignoring the basic distanciation rule. The nest example are the scenes witnesses in the past few days on the beaches in the UK
It is not limited to the UK, the same phenomenon can be observed in Germany as reported yesterday in TV.
I am afraid this will be the case in France too very shortly now that the holidays have started. Yesterday was classified as a “Red” day for traffic heading South. This means the majority of the crowd will start arriving today and tomorrow and will for sure change the current peaceful status on our beaches in the region.
Despite all these negative figures, the Occitanie region is currently faring very well and in particular in our Departement “Aude”, there were yesterday only 3 people hospitalised and no one in intensive care.
Clusters in 🇫🇷 are still a mistery to me. It is fairly hard to obtain data
Trying to make sense of the data
Map of hospital cases by region
Pic of the day
The daily dash board
World
New – Data from WHO
France
Occitanie
Data from June 26th
Information, news and tips
►Europe reopens its borders. The discussion in Brussels was very lengthy, but the Permanent Representatives Committee (Coreper), which brings together the ambassadors of the European Union (EU) member countries, reached agreement on the evening of Friday 26 June on a proposal to reopen the external borders to 14 countries on 1 July. They are Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Rwanda, Thailand, Uruguay, the three Maghreb countries (Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia) and the three Balkan countries (Georgia, Montenegro and Serbia). As it is still part of the EU during the transition period before Brexit, the United Kingdom is treated as a member state.
The list was due to be finalised by Saturday evening, with some capitals requesting a delay for further consideration. It may be revised at regular intervals, but in any case the United States, Russia, Israel, Turkey or Saudi Arabia are currently excluded, as the Covid-19 pandemic situation is considered more serious than in Europe.
►Social networks. Coca-Cola, one of the world’s best-known brands that spends huge sums on advertising, announced on Friday 26 June that it was suspending all promotions on all social networks for at least 30 days to show its support for the fight against racism. The American company is becoming one of the biggest companies to join a growing list of brands that have chosen to boycott social networks, depriving them of advertising revenue to force them to do more against hateful content.
► It is getting from bad to worse across the pond. I thought this only happened in France with Corsica or Italy with Sicily.
Food and drinks
I seriously fancy a proper Indian curry at the moment
Fun
The daily selection
Trump (Double ration today)
A journalist asked Trump if he had an IQ test. Answer: All is well. I am completely healthy. I have no IQ.
The dreaded statistics
Top countries according to the number of deaths (above 5.000)
Turkey has made it to the top countries with more than 5.000 deaths
Increase of deaths from previous day
Cases by country v population (1.000 deaths upwards) – Updated 17:45
This is the penultimate daily “Confinement Day” post on my blog. Unless there are major changes in the situation, I shall revert to a weekly post only at the weekend. My normal Blog jjsauvaget.com remains of course active and I need to catch up on some posts.
Data this morning is incomplete on the sites I normally use. I guess that some of the statistics will have to wait till later in the day as a result.
It is fairly hard to obtain the real number of clusters in 🇫🇷
Trying to make sense of the data
Map of hospital cases by region
Pic of the day
The daily dash board
World (Updated 14:30))
New – Data from WHO
France (Updated 14:25)
Official statement regarding the number of cases: ⚠️ Decrease in confirmed cases due to a change in calculation method.Since June 2, patients testing positive are now counted only once.
Occitanie
Data from June 23rd
Information, news and tips
►As usual, after some nice and hot weather, thunderstorms are to be expected. As a result, 13 departements are under orange alert this Friday till tomorrow morning.
►The European Union (EU) updated the black list of airlines banned in the EU on 2 June 2020. To date, 96 airlines are banned from flying in the EU because they do not meet international safety standards.
There are 16 countries concerned: Afghanistan, Angola, Armenia, Congo-Brazzavile, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Kirghizstan, Liveria, Lybia, Moldavia, Nepal, Congo Democratic Republic, Sao Tomé, Sierra Leone, Soudan.
There are also 6 airlines Iran Aseman Airlines, Iraqui Airways, Med-View Airlines, Blue Wing Airlines, Avior Airlines, Air Zimbabwe.
And 3 addtional airlines except if they certain plane types: Air Koryo, Air Service Comores, Iran Air
Food and drinks
One of my favorite fruit. Some figs from Italy are currently available at the market. I am of course waiting for the French ones.
Fun
The daily selection
Trump
A journalist asked Trump if he had an IQ test. Answer: All is well. I am completely healthy. I have no IQ.
The dreaded statistics
Top countries according to the number of deaths (above 5.000)
Turkey has made it to the top countries with more than 5.000 deaths
Increase of deaths from previous day
Cases by country v population (1.000 deaths upwards) – Updated 17:45
The past 24 hours have shown an alarming increase of cases in the USA. With more than 39.000, a new record has been reached.
The French daily average, based on the past 7 days, of new cases in still high and more or less constant around the 450 mark.
A sure indication that the virus is still very active also remembering that the true figure is probably much higher since there is no sytematic testing
It is fairly hard to obtain the real number of clusters in 🇫🇷
Map of hospital cases by region
Pic of the day
The daily dash board
World (New)
New – Data from WHO
France
Occitanie
Data from June 23rd
Information, news and tips
►Not much to report. A lot of discussions in France regarding the second of the municipal elections this coming Sunday. I am glad when this will be over.
Food and drinks
Fun
The daily selection
Trump
A journalist asked Trump if he had an IQ test. Answer: All is well. I am completely healthy. I have no IQ.
The dreaded statistics
Top countries according to the number of deaths (above 5.000)
Turkey has made it to the top countries with more than 5.000 deaths
Increase of deaths from previous day
Cases by country v population (1.000 deaths upwards)
The situation appears to be getting worse. We are experiencing unprecedented numbers of new cases more than 150.000 worldwide in 24 hours.
Worse affected is South America and the USA.
Although the original virus came from China and spread to Europe, North and South America, it would appear that the current virus spreading in these regions originates from Europe.
I am not too happy with the evolution in France either. Thee has been many excesses in particular last weekend during the “Fête de la musique” all over the country.
Good habits from the past few weeks are falling by the wayside. I went to “Le Cours des Halles” yesterday to replenish on rosé wine and a few fruit. There is no station to santize your hands anymore, there is no way of cleansing the shopping trolleys either. This is one of many examples.
Without going to the extreme of a 100% confinement, I shall limit very severely my movements and taking part in gatherings.
The French daily average, based on the past 7 days, of new cases in still high and increasing
A sure indication that the virus is still very active also remembering that the true figure is probably much higher since there is no sytematic testing
The number of clusters in 🇫🇷 is also still on the increase
Map of hospital cases by region
Pic of the day
The daily dash board
World (New)
New – Data from WHO
France
Occitanie
Data from Saturday June 20th
Information, news and tips
►UK
After nearly three months of being the prime minister of misfires and bad news, Boris Johnson is finally hoping to become the prime minister of good news again. And close an episode that was both dramatic for the British (43,000 official deaths due to Covid-19) and disastrous for its popularity. On Tuesday 23rd June, he announced the almost total lifting of the confinement in England.
Pubs, restaurants, hotels, hairdressing salons, libraries, museums and theatres will be able to reopen on 4 July, provided that specific health measures are put in place. Only nightclubs or nail bars will have to wait a little longer. In addition, the 2-metre physical distance rule, which has hitherto been in force and which prohibited any return to normal in schools, tourism or the entertainment sector, will be abandoned in ten days’ time in favour of the 1-metre rule.
►The United States is not doing well. US health authorities on Tuesday expressed concern about a “worrying” outbreak of the Covid-19 epidemic in the country. “The next two weeks will be critical” for responding to these “worrisome” outbreaks, warned Dr. Anthony Fauci, the White House chief immunologist, before a House of Representatives committee. Contrary to Trump’s implication that the increase in the number of tests (what a moron) is related to increases in the number of tests, the immunologist said the increase is primarily due to “contagion” among residents. “And that’s something that really worries me,” he said, with more than 32,000 cases diagnosed in the past 24 hours. It is in this context that the New York Times revealed on Tuesday that the European Union, which is reopening its external borders on 1 July, is considering banning the Americans from its territory.The daily paper cites two lists of countries whose nationals would be allowed to travel to Europe, although this is still under discussion among EU countries. And for the time being, given the health situation on the other side of the Atlantic, the Americans would be excluded from these two lists.
Food and drinks
Fun
The daily selection
Trump
The dreaded statistics
Top countries according to the number of deaths (above 5.000)
Turkey has made it to the top countries with more than 5.000 deaths
Increase of deaths from previous day
Cases by country v population (1.000 deaths upwards)
The sun is shining which is pleasant. Summer in our part of the world is well under way.
As far as the virus is concerned, there are still too many negative news and not enough improvements.
The French Scientific Council has again warned about a second wave before winter.
Germany announced for the first time local reconfinement after an outbreak of coronavirus contamination in a large slaughterhouse where more than 1,500 cases of infection were detected. The entire canton of Gütersloh, with a population of around 360,000, is affected.The novel coronavirus pandemic is still accelerating, and its effects will be felt for decades, the World Health Organization’s director-general said.
I am still convinced that there is an issue with the possible transmission of the virus via animals. These clusters in slaughter houses all over the world, cannot be only due to the working condition. Maybe at first but it cannot be the case anymore.
The French daily average, based on the past 7 days, of new cases in still high and increasing
A sure indication that the virus is still very active also remembering that the true figure is probably much higher since there is no sytematic testing
The number of clusters in 🇫🇷 is also still on the increase
Map of hospital cases by region
Pic of the day
The daily dash board
France
Occitanie
Data from Saturday June 20th
Information, news and tips
►Do not forget that cinemas have reopened today.
►Maybe the best news of the day, the Mars Group launches in France the famous M&M’s chocolates in tablet format. They are sold in five varieties.
Food and drinks
Fun
The daily selection
Trump
The dreaded statistics
Top countries according to the number of deaths (above 5.000)
Recurring issues with my Excel file
Increase of deaths from previous day
Sweden is now registering more than 5.000 deaths
Cases by country v population (1.000 deaths upwards)
