McLaughlins Take France: April 2020

Yesterday, we heard from Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, about the plan to start opening things up in France, on May 11. Here is what proposed for Phase 1, which lasts from May 11 to June 2.

- Regions in France will be color-coded red or green depending upon active the virus is. Those areas labeled green will have lockdown measures eased more quickly, while red areas will have stricter rules in place.
- We will no longer have to carry our attestation papers, unless we are traveling more than 100 kilometers from home. Journeys over 100 kilometers must be for essential professional or family reasons.
- Anyone who can still work from home, should. Otherwise, people who can't, will start going back to work, as long as social distancing can be observed.
- All shops will be open starting May 11, as long as social distancing can occur.
- The borders between EU and non-EU countries will remain closed on May 11.
- Public transport will be operating at 70% capacity. People will need to practice social distancing, with only one person per two seats. People also need to wear masks on public transportation.
- Schools will reopen over three weeks. Class sizes are not to exceed 15 students. Masks will be compulsory for secondary and above students. At first, the return to school will be voluntary.
- Parks and gardens can open up in low-risk places.
- Cafes and restaurants will remain closed at this point.
- Beaches are to stay closed at this point.
- Social gatherings can now be of ten people or less.
- Funerals can happen, but only with twenty people.
- Official religious services cannot happen before June 2.
- Individuals 65 and over are asked to still remain prudent.
- Individual exercise is allowed to resume without any limits, as long as social distancing is respected.
- No team sports are allowed to resume.
- Cinemas, museums, and theaters are to stay closed.
- Libraries can reopen.

Like all things, the French government is very clear that all of this is just a plan. Local officials will have the power to adapt and adjust conditions depending upon the needs in a specific area.

The mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, has already spoken of specific things that can be anticipated within Paris.
- Free masks will be available for all Parisians. These are masks that can be used up to 20 times. They may become compulsory around Paris.
- Hand sanitizer will be placed in public places, including public transportation.
- Accor hotel group will allow people who test positive to coronavirus to stay for two weeks. The city will pay for this.
- Schools will open, but very slowly.
- Extra bike lanes will be set up to reduce the number of individuals on public transportation.
- A shopping directory of markets and shops will be created online for individuals to access for at-home delivery.
- Services to help the homeless will continue.

Mayor Hidalgo concluded by saying, "Let there be no mistake: the hardest part is ahead of us."

In our family, there are a few things we are most excited about.

First, we are excited to think that our library might be open again. Three of us do not like to read on devices. Second, Jeff and I are thrilled we won't be restricted to only run before 10:00 am or after 7:00 pm. Third, we are looking forward to carefully traveling further out from our neighborhood. While we are unsure that parks will be open, we are excited to have more freedom of movement. Finally, I am excited that stores will begin to reopen.

This week looked very much the same as last week!
And the week before!
And the week before!
And the week before!
And the week before!
And the week before that!

Here is a bit about our learning!

For Aunt Judy, the kids had to create accurate to scale maps of their rooms.

Great teamwork!

My map of the Dining Room.

Will's map of his room.

Edy's map of her room.

Will continues to research about Rain Forests.

Saturday's class with Aunt Judy learning about masks.

Everyday, my mom sends us a Bible verse to study.

We taught the kids what happens when you press your arms against the door frame.

I am reading up, digitally, on raising a teenage girl!

Here are a few sights I encountered while exercising.

My favorite bridge, Pont Alexandre III.

Hotel Des Invalides - Will's favorite place!

Chocolate shops are STILL open.

Gelato shops are NOT open.

Looking towards Ecole Militaire, through the Champs de Mars.

Iron Lady!

Barges are still at work on the Seine River.

Edy found this adorable little street - Passage des Eaux.

The roses are beautiful right now.

I ventured out to the Arc de Triomphe - walking around all 12 streets.

Looking down the Champs-Elysee, towards Place de la Concorde.

Looking towards La Defense.

Even on a cloudy day, she is beautiful.

All around Paris, you see these stamps in the concrete. It is the date the patch
was made to the sidewalk. This was fixed August, 2, 2017.

On buildings, you see these remembrances of people, from this area, who died in one of the World Wars.

I learned why these concrete barriers exist along streets - they are so people don't park up on the sidewalk.

I love how signs painted on the ground are just spray painted over with hearts.

Finally, a bit of fun!

Ready for her daily strole.

Will prepared a "snack" for himself and Jeff, while they played Mine Craft. Those are oranges with sugar, pretzels with Nutella, salt and vinegar potato chips, and hot chocolate with LOTS of whip cream.