CONTAMINATIONS On Wednesday 25 August, 23,706 new cases of Covid-19 were recorded in 24 hours, according to figures from Santé publique France, bringing the total number of confirmed cases since the beginning of the epidemic to 6,673,336. The positivity rate, which measures the number of positive cases in relation to the number of people tested, stands at 3%.
HOSPITALISATIONS The number of Covid patients in hospital is now 6,044 (including 943 new admissions). Hospital admissions in critical care units, which take care of the most serious cases, remain high, with 2,239 patients, including 883 new admissions in 24 hours.
DEATHS 93 people have died of Covid-19 in hospitals in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of deaths in France to 113,881, including 87,265 in hospital.
VACCINATION To date, 47,687,115 people have received at least one dose of vaccine, i.e. 70.7% of the total population, and 41,296,381 people have had a complete vaccination schedule, i.e. 62.2% of the total population.
The figures relating to the epidemic of Covid-19 communicated this Wednesday by Santé publique France.
✏️ Daily update – Regional
In Aude, 102 patients were hospitalised on Wednesday because of Covid-19, 4 less than the day before. Among them, 16 are in intensive care (stable figure), 73 in conventional hospitalisation (-3) and 12 in follow-up or long-term care (-1). 7 people were able to go home (1,361 in total). One additional death in hospital was recorded in the department in the last 24 hours. In total, Covid-19 has killed 388 people in the department, including 12 in the last ten days.
In the Pyrénées-Orientales, the number of Covid patients hospitalised is down this Wednesday (-3) to 129. 20 people are in intensive care (-1 in 24 hours), 62 in conventional hospitalisation (-1) and 33 in follow-up or long-term care (-1). Eight people have been able to go home (1,614 in total since the beginning of the epidemic). An additional death is to be deplored this Wednesday in the department, which brings the total to 15 deaths from Covid-19 in the department over the last 10 days. 374 people have died in hospital in the Pyrénées-Orientales due to the coronavirus since the beginning of the epidemic.
✏️ Vaccinations 💉
In the meantime I have been doing a bit of research on the status of vaccinations in different countries with interesting results. Everyone reports slightly different figures but the most common and reliable is the % of vaccinations versus the total population. As of August 23rd the situation was as such:
🇫🇷 France 62,15% of the total population is completely vaccinated
🇩🇪 Germany 58,97%
🇮🇱 Israel 63,02%
🇬🇧 UK 61,78% (for Mary’s benefit, it represents 77,2% of the adult population)
🇺🇸 USA 51,24%
🇪🇸 Spain 67,7% (leading this table)
The daily average has been decreasing in the past 2 weeks in France which I suspect is more due to the holidays than anti-vax people. There is however a sign that appointments are on the increase again and mainly from the younger people before returning to school.
It is now official and a 3rd dose will be available as from Septembre 12th for the residents of old people homes in a 1st place. This will be followed, firm date not yet known, to the over 65 and people at risks 6 months after their second vaccination.
▫️ MINISTRY OF HEALTH
The Minister of Health “will hold an information meeting on the health situation and the vaccination campaign” this Thursday at 6.30pm from the Ministry of Solidarity and Health, the ministry said in a statement. It will be a briefing on the health situation, with “many topics covered on vaccination with details on questions that arise,” it said.
▫️ MUSIC
ABBA are set to release new music next week with a new hologram comeback tour on the way.
The ‘Dancing Queen’ hitmakers – made up Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, Agnetha Faltskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad – will drop their first new material in 39 years as they make a long-awaited comeback including a special show called ‘ABBA Voyage’.
▫️ TRAVEL NEWS
Travel Page. has been updated with the latest information below:
25/08: Unvaccinated people must now undergo quarantine to enter the Czech Republic. 25/08: Argentina plans to reopen its borders in September. 25/08: Sri Lanka is no longer on France’s red list (although the Ministry of the Interior seems to have forgotten to change the country’s colour on its map). 25/08: Martinique extends its lockdown for three weeks.
CONTAMINATIONS On Tuesday 24 August, 24,853 new cases of Covid-19 were recorded in 24 hours, according to figures from Santé publique France, bringing the total number of confirmed cases since the beginning of the epidemic to 6,649,630. The positivity rate, which measures the number of positive cases in relation to the number of people tested, stands at 3%.
HOSPITALISATIONS The number of Covid patients in hospital is now 6,163 (including 943 new admissions). Hospitalisations in critical care units, which take care of the most serious cases, remain high, with 2,221 patients, including 214 new admissions in 24 hours.
DEATHS 153 people have died of Covid-19 in hospitals in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of deaths in France to 113,788, including 87,172 in hospital.
VACCINATION To date, 47,519,858 people have received at least one dose of vaccine, i.e. 70.7% of the total population, and 41,296,381 people have had a complete vaccination schedule, i.e. 61.2% of the total population.
✏️ Regional update
The epidemic status in the Aude and Pyrénées-Orientales thanks to the figures communicated this Tuesday by Santé publique France.
In the Aude, this Tuesday evening, 106 people are hospitalised because of Covid-19 (+1 in 24 hours), 16 patients are in intensive care (-2 in 24 hours), 76 are in conventional hospitalisation (+3), 13 in follow-up care or long-term care (stable number) and 1 in other structures. 2 additional deaths are to be reported this Tuesday. The coronavirus has caused the death of 387 people in Aude since the beginning of the pandemic, including 8 in the last 7 days.
The incidence rate continues to fall in the department. It stands at 327.1 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the sliding week from 15 to 21 August (published on 24 August) compared to 346.4 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the sliding week from 14 to 20 August.
10 deaths in seven days in the Pyrénées-Orientales In the Pyrenees-Orientales, this Tuesday evening, 132 people are hospitalised because of Covid-19 (+3 in 24h). Among them, 21 are in intensive care (-1 compared to Monday), 63 in conventional hospitalisation (+4), 34 in follow-up care or long-term care (stable number) and 14 in other structures (also stable number). 2 deaths are to be deplored this Tuesday in the Pyrénées-Orientales, which brings the total to 10 deaths from Covid-19 in the department over the last 7 days. In total, 373 people have died in hospital in the Pyrénées-Orientales due to the coronavirus since the beginning of the epidemic.
In the Pyrénées-Orientales, the incidence rate continues to fall. In the sliding week from 15 to 21 August (published on 24 August), it was 313.4 cases per 100,000 inhabitants compared to 320.9 per 100,000 in the sliding week from 14 to 20 August.
✏️ Travel to France from a non EU country
Here is the link to the official Government page (in English 🇬🇧) with all the necessary information on documentation required. I assume it is being kept to date on a very regular basis.
▫️ 24 HOURS OF LE MANS
Spent most of Saturday night watching the race as planned. I, after all these years, even learned a few things listening alternatively to French or English commentary.
Excellent view of the track at night, the main stands & pit lane taken from the Good Year blimp.
▫️ MUSIC
Wether you like them or not, the Rolling Stones are legend
▫️ TRAVEL NEWS
Travel Page. has been updated with the latest information below:
24/08: Thailand will pivot to a “live with covid” strategy and reopen its borders more widely to vaccinated tourists from October. 23/08: Estonia now imposes a 10-day quarantine on unvaccinated people coming from France. 23/08 : Thailand: Chiang Mai will not reopen until October. 23/08 : The United States is extending the closure of its land borders with Canada and Mexico until at least 21 September. It is also keeping its air borders with Europe closed. 23/08: Chile will not reopen its borders in September. 20/08 : Polynesia: extended lockdown, inter-island travel limited.
CONTAMINATIONS This Friday 20 August, 22,319 new cases of Covid-19 were recorded in 24 hours, according to figures from Santé publique France, bringing the total number of confirmed cases since the beginning of the epidemic to 6,579,675.
The positivity rate, which measures the number of positive cases in relation to the number of people tested, stands at 3.3%.
HOSPITALISATIONS The number of Covid patients in hospital is now 10,515 (including 887 new admissions).
Hospitalisations in critical care units, which take care of the most serious cases, remain high, with 2,091 patients.
DEATHS 83 people have died of Covid-19 in hospitals in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of deaths in France to 113,264, including 86,689 in hospital.
VACCINATION To date, 47,321,110 people have received at least one injection, i.e. 70.2% of the total population, and 40,902,443 people have had a complete vaccination schedule, i.e. 60.7% of the total population.
✏️ Regional update
The epidemic data in the Aude and Pyrénées-Orientales thanks to the figures communicated this Friday by Santé publique France.
In Aude, this Friday evening, 101 people were hospitalised because of Covid-19 (+3 in 24 hours). This is the first time that the 100 hospitalisations mark has been passed in the department since 17 May. In addition, 15 patients are in intensive care (+1 in 24 hours), 71 are in conventional hospitalisation (+2), 13 in follow-up or long-term care (stable number) and 1 in other structures. No additional deaths are to be reported this Friday. The coronavirus has caused the death of 381 people in the Aude since the beginning of the pandemic.
The incidence rate continues to fall in the department. It is 371.6 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the sliding week from 11 to 17 August (published on 20 August) compared to 372.1 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the sliding week from 10 to 16 August.
Hospitalisations down in the Pyrénées-Orientales In the Pyrenees-Orientales, this Friday evening, 130 people are hospitalised because of Covid-19 (-5 in 24 hours). Among them, 26 are in intensive care (as much as on Thursday), 55 in conventional hospitalisation (-4), 35 in follow-up care or long-term care (-1) and 14 in other structures (stable number). No deaths were reported this Friday in the Pyrénées-Orientales. The number of deaths linked to Covid-19 in the department had not been stable over one day since 13 August. In total, 365 people have died in hospital in the Pyrénées-Orientales since the beginning of the epidemic.
In the Pyrénées-Orientales, the incidence rate continues to fall. In the sliding week from 11 to 17 August (published on 20 August), it was 372 cases per 100,000 inhabitants compared to 393.1 per 100,000 in the sliding week from 10 to 16 August.
✏️ Occitanie: reinforcement of water restrictions in the face of the drought, particularly in the Aude
Despite some rain at the beginning of the summer, the drought is gaining ground in Occitanie. All the departments are affected by water restriction measures, notably in the Aude where the situation has been raised to the maximum alert level this Thursday 19 August. Water reserves are becoming increasingly scarce. This year again, the drought does not spare Occitanie, and in particular the departments of Languedoc and Roussillon. In spite of the rains of July and the beginning of August, the level of the water tables is decreasing, and the hydrological deficit noted for several months could not be caught up. This situation is not expected to improve, as the weather forecasts predict dry and hot weather until the end of the month.
As a result, the alert level in the Gard, Hérault and Pyrénées-Orientales has been placed on reinforced vigilance.
Crisis situation in the Aude The department of Aude has been placed in crisis level this Thursday 19 August. Thierry Bonnier, the prefect, has decided to reinforce the water restriction measures on the Berre and Orbieu catchment areas. The other catchment areas are maintained at the level currently in force, i.e. reinforced alert level.
This means that all non-priority water abstractions, including those for agricultural purposes, are prohibited. Only drinking water and water used for health and civil security purposes may still be abstracted.
The situation is particularly critical in the Corbières area, especially in the commune of Durban-Corbières, where the spring that supplies the water network has almost dried up. A tanker had to be called in to fill a reservoir with drinking water, the use of which is strictly regulated. Indeed, access to drinking water is interrupted from 2pm to 6pm and from 10pm to 5am, and the inhabitants of the village must limit themselves to the strict minimum.
In the department, numerous restrictions are also in force: watering public and private lawns and green spaces is prohibited, as is filling swimming pools and washing cars, except for professional installations. Watering vegetable gardens is still possible, but only for two hours a day between 8pm and 8am. The Aude prefecture is calling on the population to “show exemplary behaviour by scrupulously respecting these restrictions”. Water resources should continue to become scarcer in the weeks to come and the prefecture is already warning that new restrictions should be taken at the beginning of next week. If the situation does not give rise to fears of potential drinking water shortages in the next few days, this scenario cannot be ruled out, and the prefecture is asking the water management services to prepare for this without delay.
▫️ 24 HOURS OF LE MANS
Today is round four of the 2021 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), the long-awaited 2021 24 Hours of Le Mans.
This year opens a new chapter in the fabulous history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Indeed, today at 16.00 CEST, the cars of the new Hypercar category, replacing the former LMP1, will compete on the Le Mans track for the very first time. The teams Toyota Gazoo Racing, Alpine Elf Matmut and Glickenhaus Racing will line up on the starting grid of the mythical track of La Sarthe, alongside the LMP2 and LMGTE Pro and
This year opens a new chapter in the fabulous history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Indeed, today at 16.00 CEST, the cars of the new Hypercar category, replacing the former LMP1, will compete on the Le Mans track for the very first time. The teams Toyota Gazoo Racing, Alpine Elf Matmut and Glickenhaus Racing will line up on the starting grid of the mythical track of La Sarthe, alongside the LMP2 and LMGTE Pro and GTE Am categories.
I shall, unusually, not be there for the race but am ready to watch as much as possible on-line, TV etc. I am all set up.
▫️ MUSIC
There are a lot of programs currently about Queen then and now. They show a lot of hits but the one appearing to be common to all programs seems to be this one.
▫️ TRAVEL NEWS
Travel Page. has been updated with the latest information below:
CONTAMINATIONS On Thursday 19 August, 23,973 new cases of Covid-19 were recorded in 24 hours, according to figures from Santé publique France, bringing the total number of confirmed cases since the beginning of the epidemic to 6,557,356.
The positivity rate, which measures the number of positive cases in relation to the number of people tested, stands at 3.4%.
HOSPITALISATIONS The number of Covid patients in hospital is now 10,392 (including 976 new admissions).
Hospital admissions in critical care units, which take care of the most serious cases, remain high, with 2,049 patients, including 186 new admissions in 24 hours.
DEATHS 127 people have died of Covid-19 in hospitals in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of deaths in France to 113,182, including 86,607 in hospital.
VACCINATION To date, 47,127,195 people have received at least one injection, i.e. 69.9% of the total population, and 40,508,406 people have had a complete vaccination schedule, i.e. 60.1% of the total population.
✏️ Regional update
Thanks to the figures communicated this Thursday by Santé publique France, here is the balance of the epidemic in the Aude and Pyrénées-Orientales.
In Aude, this Thursday evening, 98 people are hospitalised because of Covid-19 (+5 in 24 hours), including 15 in intensive care (as much as on Wednesday). 69 are in conventional hospitalisation (+5), 13 in follow-up or long-term care (stable number) and 1 in other structures. Two additional deaths are to be deplored this Thursday. The coronavirus has caused the death of 381 people in the Aude since the beginning of the pandemic.
The incidence rate continues to fall in the department. It is 372.1 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the week from 10 to 16 August (published on 19 August) compared to 394.7 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the week from 9 to 15 August.
12 hospital deaths in one week in the Pyrénées-Orientales In the Pyrenees-Orientales, this Thursday evening, 135 people are hospitalised because of Covid-19 (-1 in 24 hours). Among them, 26 are in intensive care (as much as on Wednesday), 59 in conventional hospitalisation (-2), 36 in follow-up care or long term (+1) and 14 in other structures (stable number). The department deplores two additional deaths in 24 hours (12 in one week), which brings to 365 the total of victims in hospital since the beginning of the epidemic.
In the Pyrénées-Orientales, the incidence rate is back under 400 infections. In the sliding week from 10 to 16 August (published on 19 August), it was 393.1 cases per 100,000 inhabitants compared to 408.4 per 100,000 in the sliding week from 9 to 15 August.
▫️ MUSIC
“Music is the greatest communication in the world. Even if people don’t understand the language that you’re singing in, they still know good music when they hear it.” – Lou Rawls
▫️ TRAVEL NEWS
Travel Page. has been updated with the latest information below:
20/08: From September 1st, French and European travellers will again be exempted from short-stay visas to enter South Korea, but will have to obtain an electronic travel authorisation and respect a 14-day quarantine. 20/08: As of 1 September, only vaccinated people will be able to enter Oman. 20/08: Singapore to reopen its borders to vaccinated travellers from Germany, Hong Kong, Brunei and Macau. 20/08 : Thailand extends quarantine-free entry for vaccinated people to Koh Phi Phi, Koh Ngai, Railay, Khao Lak, Koh Yao, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao in addition to Phuket.
19/08 : From 1 September, North Macedonia will require either a vaccination certificate, a PCR test less than 72 hours old, or proof of having been infected with covid. 19/08: Morocco and Algeria move to France’s red list. Unvaccinated travellers will have to justify a compelling reason, present a negative test and isolate themselves for ten days on their return to France.
▫️ FUN
▫️ THE FABULOUS FRIDAY (FUNNIES) GROANS from Paul
Sunny Friday greetings to you all
✒︎A man rushed into the doctor’s office and shouted, “Doctor! I think I’m shrinking!!”
The doctor calmly responded, “Now, settle down. You’ll just have to be a little patient.”
✒︎Bloke sat in his armchair shouts to his wife, “When I die, I’m going to leave everything to you, Love” She shouts back, “You already do, you lazy b*stard!”
✒︎ My wife and I walked past a swanky new restaurant last night.
“Did you smell that food?” she asked. “Incredible!”
Being the nice guy I am, I thought, “What the heck, I’ll treat her!”
So we walked past it again.
✒︎”I was homeschooled, which meant that I had to bully myself.” – Dave Letterman
✒︎After a busy day commuters settled down on their train train trip home, when a chap hauled out his mobile and loudly started up:-
“Hi darling it’s Peter, I’m on the train – yes, I know it’s the 6.30 not the 4.30 but I had a long meeting – no, not with that floozie from the typing pool, with the boss no darling you’re the only one in my life – yes, I’m sure, cross my heart” etc.
This was still going on after many minutes , when the young woman opposite, driven beyond endurance, yelled at the top of her voice, “Hey, Peter, turn that bloody phone off and come back to bed!”
✒︎”Italian authorities seized $6 trillion worth of fake, worthless U.S. Treasury bonds. Pretty
good counterfeit job, too. They look just like the genuine worthless Treasury bonds.”
Jay Leno
✒︎In a train compartment, there are three men and one ravishing young girl.
The four passengers join in a conversation, which very soon turns to the erotic.
Then, the young girl proposes, “If each of you will give me $1, I will show you my legs.” The men, charmed by this young girl,
all pull a buck out of their wallet. And then the girl pulls up her dress a bit to show her legs.
Then she says, “If each of you gentlemen will give me $5, I’ll show you my thighs.”
Men being what they are, they all pull out a five-dollar bill. The girl pulls up her dress all the way to the top of her thighs..
Conversation continues, and the men, a bit excited, have all taken off their coats.
Then the young girl says, “If you will give me $20, I will show you where I was operated on
for an appendicitis.”
Naturally, all three fork over the money, and then the girl turns to the window and points to a hospital in the distance and says, “Right over there!”
✒︎A proctologist walked into a bank. Preparing to endorse a check, he pulled a rectal
thermometer out of his shirt pocket and tried to write with it.
Realizing his mistake, he looked at the thermometer with annoyance and said,
“Well that’s great, just great… but I think I know where my pen is.”
✒︎A secretary, out with appendicitis, was being visited by a co-worker in the hospital.
“How are things at the office going, Claudia?” she asked.
“Well, they’re all sharing your work. Jody is making the coffee, Louise is reading all your
magazines, and Cathy is making it with the boss.”
✒︎On the way back from a Cub Scout meeting, my grandson innocently said to my son,
‘Dad, I know babies come from mommies’ tummies, but how do they get there in the first place?’
After my son hemmed and hawed awhile, my grandson finally spoke up in disgust,
‘You don’t have to make up something, Dad. It’s okay if you don’t know the answer.’
✒︎Three friends from the local congregation were asked, ‘When you’re in your casket, and
friends and congregation members are mourning over you, what would you like them to say?
Artie said: ‘ I would like them to say I was a wonderful husband, a fine spiritual leader, and a great family man.’
Eugene commented: ‘I would like them to say I was a wonderful teacher and servant of God who made a huge difference in people’s lives.’
Al said: ‘I’d like them to say, ‘Look, he’s moving!’
✒︎”For sale,” read the ad in our hospital’s weekly newsletter, “sleeveless wedding gown, white, size 10, veil included. Worn once, by mistake.”
✒︎Staring at an empty cage, a zoo visitor asks, “Where are all the monkeys?”
“It’s mating season,” the keeper replies. “They’re inside.”
“Do you think they’d come out for peanuts?”
“Probably not,” answers the keeper.
“Why not?” persists the visitor.
“Would you?”
✒︎A court room in Oklahoma where a person is on trial for murder. there is strong evidence indicating guilt; however, there is no corpse. In the defense’s closing statement the lawyer, knowing that his client is guilty and that it looks like he’ll probably be convicted, resorts to a clever trick.
“Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I have a surprise for you all” the lawyer says as he looks at his watch. “Within 1 minute, the person presumed dead in this case will walk into this court room,” he says looks towards the courtroom door. The jury, somewhat stunned, all look eagerly. A minute passes. Nothing happens.
Finally the lawyer says “Actually I made up the previous statement. But you all looked in anticipation. I, therefore, put it to you that there is reasonable doubt in this case as to whether anyone was killed and insist that you return a verdict of not guilty.” The jury, clearly confused, retires to deliberate. A few minutes later, the jury returns and a representative pronounces a verdict of guilty.
“But how?” inquires the lawyer. “You must have some doubt; I saw all of you stare at the door.” Answers the representative: “Oh, we did look. But your client didn’t.”
✒︎”Police officers say that because of the economy, more thieves are stealing petrol from parked cars. Victims said they hadn’t felt that robbed since they put the petrol INTO their car.” -Jimmy Fallon
✒︎A friend once complained to my sister about the difficulties contained in child rearing, especially the lack of peace and quiet rest. “What you need is a playpen to separate the kids from yourself,” my sister suggested. So my sister’s friend bought a playpen. A few days later, my sister called to ask how things were going. “Superb! I can’t believe it,” she replied. “I get in the pen with a good book and the kids don’t bother me one bit!”
✒︎Two overweight middle aged women are on their daily exercise stroll. They were talking about how hard it is to lose weight as one gets older, something with which all you youths must deal eventually.
One woman complained that she remained an ‘apple-shape’ and the other said that no matter how much she exercised, there was too much poundage on her backside and thighs. It almost seemed like it was there to stay. Her buddy agreed, saying, “It’s true. The lard works in mysterious ways.”
Q: What’s black and white and makes a lot of noise?
A: A zebra with a drumkit.
Q: What did the dryer say to the washer?
A: Let’s go for a spin.
Q: Why do sharks live in salt water?
A: Because pepper makes them sneeze!
Q: What did the geometry teacher say when she lost her parrot?
Live video on the main screen, live timing and position board on the smaller screen.
Commentary courtesy of Radio Le Mans. I can confirm they still talk a fair amount of crap and the race is not started yet but a Le Mans weekend wouldn’t be the same without them.
The 3rd practice session is now over with the Alpine #36 taking the best time.
I am catching up with the different cars and am quite impressed with the new hypercar team Glickenhaus. The front of the car looks like the old Ferraris did. Glickenhaus Racing is making its WEC and Le Mans 24 Hours debut this year with its 007 LMH. The American manufacturer has chosen a French engine to power its hypercar prototype. Cock-a-doodle-doo! Pipo Moteurs has designed a V8 engine that has given complete satisfaction up to now. A great performance for the engine manufacturer who is also making his debut in endurance racing.
Tonight 9pm, the so-called hyperpole qualifying session will take place. Followed by another free practise session at 10pm.
CONTAMINATIONS On Wednesday 18 August, 28,405 new cases of Covid-19 were recorded in 24 hours, according to figures from Santé publique France, bringing the total number of confirmed cases since the beginning of the epidemic to 6,533,383.
The positivity rate, which measures the number of positive cases in relation to the number of people tested, stands at 3.4%.
HOSPITALISATIONS The number of Covid patients in hospital is now 10,336 (including 1,036 new admissions).
Hospitalisations in critical care units, which deal with the most serious cases, also continued to rise, with 2,054 patients, including 299 new admissions in 24 hours.
DEATHS 112 people have died of Covid-19 in hospitals in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of deaths in France to 113,055, including 86,480 in hospital.
VACCINATION To date, 46,928,614 people have received at least one injection, i.e. 69.6% of the total population, and 40,152,019 people have had a complete vaccination schedule, i.e. 59.6% of the total population.
✏️ Incidence rate
✏️ Covid: vaccine efficacy decreases over time with delta variant
According to a British study, Pfizer and AstraZeneca’s vaccines lose their effectiveness three months after the second dose. This is enough to tip the balance in favour of a third dose, which is already being considered by several countries.
The debate on the third dose may soon be over. According to a British study pre-published on Thursday, the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines would indeed see their effectiveness against the Delta variant decrease after 90 days.
The study, carried out jointly by Oxford University and the British Office for National Statistics (ONS), covers more than three million people vaccinated in the UK.
Efficacy still important
Two weeks after the second dose, Pfizer’s and AstraZeneca’s vaccines appear to be 85% and 68% effective against the Delta variant, but this protection would drop to 75% and 61% respectively after three months, the study found. The loss of efficacy would also be more pronounced in people over the age of 35.
However, the vaccines are still very effective against severe forms of the disease. “When you start at a very high level, you have a long way to go,” study leader Sarah Walker, a professor of medical statistics at Oxford University, told AFP. In any case, the drop in effectiveness raises doubts about the possibility of achieving herd immunity. According to the researchers, the effectiveness of the Pfizer vaccine could even fall to 68% after four and a half months. Nevertheless, “the higher levels of infection seen in vaccinated people are evidence that unvaccinated people are at even greater risk,” Sarah Walker told Bloomberg.
Further argument for the third dose
This reinforces the case for a booster dose, which has found increasing support in recent months. On Wednesday, the Israeli health insurance agency Maccabi published a study concluding that the third dose of vaccine in people over 60 was 86% effective against the Delta variant.
These results could therefore further tip the balance in its favour, despite opposition from the WHO. Israel was the first to launch a booster campaign at the end of July for people over 60. After authorising it for immunocompromised people, the United States will generalise the third dose in September. As for France, Emmanuel Macron has promised to organise a booster campaign “as early as September” for the elderly and immunocompromised people.
▫️ MUSIC
▫️ TRAVEL NEWS
Travel Page. has been updated with the latest information below:
19/08: New Caledonia‘s borders will remain closed at least until 31 December. 19/08 : Unvaccinated people must now undergo a 10-day quarantine to enter Tunisia, compared to 7 days previously. 19/08 : Croatia and Austria will apply a 9-month limit to the validity of vaccines for entry into their territory.
18/08 : France is now classified as a high risk country by the Netherlands. It is therefore necessary to present a PRC test less than 48 hours old, an antigen test less than 24 hours old, a vaccination certificate or a covid recovery certificate to enter the country.
I received yesterday the latest comic book available in the new series.
I had an very enjoyable time reading it this afternoon till I realized it was the 1st part of 2 and I do not know when the second part will be available.
I have all 67 publications and namely:
📖 Hubinon – Charlier
✓ 1. Les Japs attaquent
✓ 2. Les Mystères de Midway
✓ 3. La Revanche des fils du ciel
✓ 4. Les tigres volants
✓ 5. Dans les griffes du dragon noir
✓ 6. Attaque en Birmanie
✓ 7. Les Trafiquants de la mer Rouge
✓ 8. Les pirates du desert
✓ 9. Les Gangsters du pétrole
✓ 10. Pilote d’essai
✓ 11. Ciel de Coree
✓ 12. Avions sans pilotes
✓ 13. Un avion n’est pas rentré
✓ 14. Patrouille a l’aube
✓ 15. NC 22654 ne répond plus
✓ 16. Menace au nord
✓ 17. Buck Danny contre Lady X
✓ 18. Alerte en Malaisie
✓ 19. Le tigre de Malaisie
✓ 20. S.O.S soucoupes volantes
✓ 21. Un prototype a disparu
✓ 22. Top secret
✓ 23. Mission vers la vallée perdu
✓ 24. Prototype FX 13
✓ 25. Escadrille ZZ
✓ 26. Le retour des tigres volants
✓ 27. Les tigres volants a la rescousse
✓ 28. Tigres volants contre pirates
✓ 29. Opération Mercury
✓ 30. Les voleurs de satellites
✓ 31. X-15
✓ 32. Alerte à Cap Kennedy
✓ 33. Le Mystère des avions fantômes
✓ 34. Alerte atomique
✓ 35. L’escadrille de la mort
✓ 36. Les Anges bleues
✓ 37. Le pilote au masque de cuir
✓ 38. La vallée de la mort verte
✓ 39. Requins en mer de Chine
✓ 40. Ghost Queen
📖 Bergèse – Charlier
✓ 41. Mission Apocalypse
✓ 42. Les pilotes de l’enfer
✓ 43. Le feu du ciel
✓ 44. Les agresseurs
📖 Bergèse – DeDouhet
✓ 45. Les secrets de la mer Noire
📖 Bergèse
✓ 46. L’escadrille fantôme
✓ 47. Zone interdite
✓ 48. Tonnerre sur la cordillère
✓ 49. La nuit du serpent
✓ 50. Sabotage au Texas
✓ 51. Mystère en Antarctique
✓ 52.Porté disparu
📖 Wings –Zumbiehl
✓ 53. Cobra noir
📖 Formosa – Zumbiehl
✓ 54. La nuit du spectre
✓ 55. Defcon One
✓ 56. Vostok ne répond plus
✓ 57.. Operation Vektor
✓ 58. Le Pacte
📖 Bergèse – Charlier – Buendia – Zumbiehl – Série One Shot
The news since yesterday regarding new and violent forest fires in the Var region are devastating. What makes it worse, is that we were there last week. It is not the first fire in the region and I have witnessed the ensuing devastation many times. It is heart breaking. Fortunately nature is very strong and with time does come back, sometimes must quicker than what we think.
French firefighters use a water hose to extinguish a fire in Gonfaron,
in the French department of Var, southern France, on August 17, 2021. – Thousands of people, including tourists in campsites, have been evacuated as a wildfire raged near the plush resort of Saint-Tropez in southern France, the fire service said on August 17. Around 750 firefighters and water-droppping aircraft were battling the blaze in difficult conditions, with high temperatures and strong winds. (Photo by NICOLAS TUCAT / AFP)
I intend to go back to the area next month when the tourist season is coming to a close.
Our escapade last week was fairly short but a fair amount was achieved.
Day 1 – Monday
We drove from Carcassonne to Hyeres taking the fastest route. It is only a 401 km ride along motorways through Narbonne, Montpellier, Nimes, Arles, Aix en Provence, Toulon. Basically the road follows the rim of the mediterranean with sometime spectacular views. In particular when approaching Toulon with the views of La Ciotat. In fact I would recommend not to take the motorway at this point but the secondary road. The view is even better.
CONTAMINATIONS On Tuesday 17 August, 28,114 new cases of Covid-19 were recorded in 24 hours, according to figures from Santé publique France, bringing the total number of confirmed cases since the beginning of the epidemic to 6,504,978.
The positivity rate, which measures the number of positive cases in relation to the number of people tested, stands at 3.4%.
HOSPITALIZATIONS The number of Covid patients in hospital is now 10,219 (including 1,075 new admissions).
Hospitalisations in critical care units, which deal with the most serious cases, also continued to rise, with 1,953 patients, including 245 new admissions in 24 hours.
DEATHS 111 people have died of Covid-19 in hospitals in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of deaths in France to 112,943, including 86,368 in hospital.
VACCINATION To date, 46,714,974 people have received at least one injection, i.e. 69.3% of the total population, and 39,789,184 people have had a complete vaccination schedule, i.e. 58.9% of the total population.
✏️ Incidence rate
In the meantime the incidence rate in the Aude Departement has fallen down slightly under 400 for the past couple of days.
✏️ Health Pass
One week after the introduction of the health pass in bars and restaurants, professionals are still filling up. For the moment…
Some expected a disaster. Like in cinemas and some tourist places. But for the moment, in the restaurants of Carcassonne, the health pass effect is not obvious.
All property owners can now access an overview of all their built properties located in France and their characteristics thanks to the tax administration’s new service “Manage my properties”. Eventually, this service will allow owners to make their declarations online to simplify their declarations. To access all of your real estate assets, simply log on to your “Individual” or “Professional” space using your login and password on impots.gouv.fr. A “Manage my properties” tab displays 6 properties per page, indicating the type of property (garage, box, cellar, commercial premises, house, etc.), its surface area and its address. The “Consult” button allows you to obtain more information (tax number of the premises, co-ownership lot, rights on the property, etc.). It is also possible to download the list of properties in spreadsheet format.
This service will undergo some changes:
in autumn 2022: it will be possible to make property declarations online and to pay planning tax;
early January 2023: it will be possible to declare whether the property is a primary or secondary residence. If it is rented, it will be possible to declare the occupant of the residential premises or to collect from the owners, within the framework of the revision of rental values, the rents of the residential premises rented out.
▫️ BITS & PIECES
Many moons ago, I disabled my Facebook account as I am totally unhappy with their politics on one hand but in particular their safety and lack of privacy record. The account remains dormant / disabled so that you can still use your Facebook account to log in some other applications like Spotify etc
In the meantime I have also deleted these applications where for ease of use I had used Facebook to log in (Messenger, Spotify, etc).
I was therefore able to request the complete deletion of my account which is confirmed and will in theory start in 30 days. I say in theory because I do not trust Facebook to delete all the data.
▫️ TRAVEL NEWS
Travel Page. has been updated with the latest information below:
18/08: The Turks and Caicos Islands will only accept vaccinated travellers from 1 September. 18/08: Travellers may need a third injection of vaccine to enter the UK without quarantine. 17/08: Cambodia plans to reopen its borders to vaccinated travellers by the end of 2021. 17/08: Moldova no longer requires quarantine. 17/08: Peru now accepts antigen tests less than 24 hours old and no longer requires testing on arrival. 16/08: Unvaccinated people must now present a negative test to enter Spain, regardless of the region of France from which they arrive. 16/08: Thailand wants to implement a plan to allow tourists in Phuket to visit other tourist areas after 7 days instead of 14 days today. 16/08: Vaccinated people no longer need a PCR test to enter Cape Verde. 16/08: From 1 October, vaccinated travellers will have unrestricted access to Mauritius provided they produce a PCR test less than 72 hours old on arrival. 16/08: Romania now imposes a 10-14 day quarantine for unvaccinated persons. 16/08: Lithuania now imposes a 10-day quarantine for unvaccinated persons. 16/08 : Panama now requires a test even for vaccinated people.
I do it my way 