Day 38

Before I start the daily blog, I go through all government (central regional, local) web sites to see what might have changed and/or what possible new decree is available. It is a thankless task because in some cases the web pages are so badly designed that it is practically impossible to find new information. I wrote to the government again this morning via their Instagram page to highlight the issue. They certainly do need some consultancy on the matter. If only I was 10 years+ younger.

Then I go through the maistream news channels (France & abroad) and try to cross check any information I can find. Fake news are abundant.

Finally I go through all the statistics pages I follow. There is a lot of copy paste going on before I update my nemerous excel tables.

After a coffee break, I start working on the daily post. Depending on the number of emails I have received in the past 12 hours or so and the number of emails I need to write, the whole exercise takes me up three and a half hours which is my morning gone. A routine I shall miss when the confinement is over.

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The daily DB

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France

Occitanie

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Information & News

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▶︎ Water levels

Water levels are going down. The situation at the Pont Vieux this morning is more or less normal withan expected level of 1,20 and decreasing around 11am.

 

 

 

 

Only one river is still a problem and this is “Le Têt” which flows into the perpigna area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

▶︎V&B Carcassonne

I do not know if any of you patronise V and B but I certainly do to get my cases of German Weizenbeer. The good news is that they have reopened for delivery or drive service only and I am about to order a couple of cases since I did run out at least 2 weeks ago. Good news of the day. I read that you have to pay via Paypal which is not a problem for me.

▶︎ Lily of the Valley (Muguet)

It is a very important tradition in France to give a bunch of “muguet” on May the 1st. Normally one can buy the flowers at almost every street corners as a lot of associations and kids try to make some money. I even did it myself in Paris when I was a boy scout. I am afrais this will not be possible this year.

 

 

The statement from the Prefecture is quite clear:

Due to the covid-19 health crisis and in compliance with the decree of 23 March 2020 modified, the sale of lily-of-the-valley on the public highway, traditionally tolerated and which can be supervised by a municipal by-law will be strictly forbidden this year. This activity does not fall under the framework of those authorized in the above-mentioned decree and the offender is exposed in particular to an 135 € fine. The police and gendarmerie services will be mobilized to ensure the compliance with this prohibition.
Florists, who are not authorised by the aforementioned decree to receive the public in
their store, will be able to offer lily of the valley for sale, only in the context of their activity of delivery and withdrawal of orders in “drive” mode and in compliance with the application of the following measures barriers.
On this occasion, the Prefect of the Aude reminds us that shopping cannot be a barrier.
synonymous with gathering too close together, as was seen this weekend on certain markets, or large supermarkets, and that respect for barrier gestures and distance are the best measures for collective protection against VIDOC-19.

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Food & Drinks

No new recipe today

However the “Jardin en Ville” is announcing that very shortly they will offer take away lunch trays or so-called “Bento”. I had to look up what Bento is and it is the name for Japanese Lunch boxes. Anyway it is good news and I shall keep my eyes open for the date and procedures expected as well as the menu of course.

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Fun

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The daily toons

 

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The dreaded Statistics

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1. International Statistics: Top 10 countries according to the deaths count

Specialist are saying that if the UK were to report all deaths i.e not only hospitals but also retirement homes, the number could be some 40% higher. This would bring the number to 25 400 deaths. The highest number in Europe.

Wednesday April 22nd 2020

Tuesday April 21st 2020

2. International Statistics: Percentage increase of deaths from one day to the other: 

Wednesday April 22nd 2020

3. International Statistics: Cases by country v population (1.000 cases or more only)

It is the second time this week that the reported total number of cases in France is lower than the previous day which is impossible. Typo or adjustment? I am trying to find out.

4. National Statistics: France

See also Dashboard at the top of the post

5.  Regional Statistics: Occitanie & Aude

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