Living through a pandemic in the south of France
334 days in Carcassonne since the 1st lockdown in March 2020
▫️ News and titbits
▫️ The Covid-19 pandemic continues to claim victims around the world. In New Zealand, new cases have appeared in Auckland, while Germany wants to prevent variants from arriving on its soil. Japan has just validated the Pfeizer vaccine. France is approaching three million vaccinations.
▫️ Daily and weekly Corona virus statistics are visible here .
TODAY’S DATA is up to date
▫️ COVID-19 – NEWS SUMMARY
The coronavirus epidemic has contaminated 16,546 new people in France in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of people contaminated since the epidemic broke out in France to 3,465,163, according to the French Public Health Department’s report on Sunday 14 February. The positive rate is 6%.
167 people died from the disease between Saturday and Sunday. A total of 81,814 people died in hospital. 9921 patients were admitted to hospital in the last seven days, of which 1763 were in the intensive care unit.
The government has also communicated the latest vaccination figures for France. 2,254,688 people have received a first injection of vaccine since the start of the campaign, i.e. 3.4% of the total population and 4.3% of the adult population. 647,173 second injections have been carried out.
▫️ COVID-19 – VACCINATIONS
As of February 25th, the family doctors will be allowed to vaccinate assuming they can get hold of vaccines. The target population is the over 50 to 64 old with pre-conditions. I still wonder what’s happening to the over 65 to 74 years old (me). I still cannot find any available appointment in the local vaccination centres.
▫️ MOVE TO CARCASSONNE
Yesterday marked not only Valentine’s day but more importantly the 4th anniversary of our move to Carcassonne. We flew from Hannover in Germany via Munich (I think) to Toulouse where we picked up our pre-reserved rental car. We arrived in our current home late in the evening to find a very cold and empty house and a non functioning heating. There was a letter from the gas people, we found out in the morning, informing us that the gas meter, accessible from outside, had been changed a few weeks earlier and because no one was at home and for precautionary measures the gas was turned off. A quick call on the morning of the 15th to the emergency number and 30′ minutes later a blue van with a flashing orange light turned up to turn the gas back on. The removal van with our furniture arrived a day later, earlier than expected and by the end of the week we had also purchased and picked up a car. Everything was falling into place to start our new life in the south of France.
▫️ SPORT – RUGBY
In rugby, as elsewhere, the end of an era is sometimes a matter of little importance. A ball hitting the bar, a spike touching the touchline cancelling out an opponent’s try, or a rock-solid defence. On Sunday 14 February, the French XV overcame all the difficulties to win in Ireland, after ten years of dearth (15-13). And to consolidate its progress in the Six Nations Tournament – in which Les Bleus are alone at the top, with two victories in as many matches.
▫️ ANCILLARY NOTES FROM A SMALL ISLAND from our correspondent in Britain
Our correspondent in Britain is very much otherwise engaged for the time being.
(grand children baby sitting duties)
▫️ MUSIC
ANOTHER ONE IN MY TOP 100
A memorable road trip to the south of France for the 1978 summer holidays and return to the UK followed by the ELO live concert in the Wembley Arena. The stage was a huge flying saucer with hydraulic lifts, the ‘roof’ would open up to reveal the band. The concert was one of the first examples of lasers used at a live rock concert.
▫️ PIC OF THE DAY – NEW PROJECT
▫️ NEWS FROM ACROSS THE POND
▫️ FUN BITS
▫️ WEATHER
The weather is changing. It will not be as sunny as expected on Wednesday as shown yesterday. That might compromise our planned outing at the coast for a hike.
Still all is quiet as far as floods are concerned in our region.
We are still “Green”.
▫️ VENDEE GLOBE
A lot of miles covered in the past 24 hours by the leading of the five remaining boats which covered 352nm (652km). Since there are theoratically 336nm remaining, an arrival within the next 24 hours could be possible.
A lot of miles covered in the past 24 hours by the leading of the five remaining boats which covered 352nm (652km). Since there are theoratically 336nm remaining, an arrival within the next 24 hours could be possible.
▫️ WALKS
That’s the plan for later this week.
▫️ SOME LINKS I LIKE TO USE
I do it my way 