Right who is going to France next week?

[56785]

Hi, this is from a member of the Silent Majority who visits this site each week and can usually offer little of interest. But I am annoyed at the constant reference to infection rates, testing, tracing with scant regard to the number of deaths. Like a snowball rolling down the hill but on the wrong side!
A lot of towns in North West England are now under restrictions because of high outbreaks of COVID-19. Yet the local BBC News records very few deaths in this wide area, just 1 for today and yesterday and zero on other days. So you have to ask why a high infection rate is such a problem.
The three areas with England's highest infection rate in the last two weeks of June were Leicester, Bradford and Barnsley. Adding together the NHS daily death figures from the hospitals in these 3 regions a monthly figure is reached. March 49 deaths, April 509, May 251, June 88 and July 39 deaths. In the last 14 days of July only 10 deaths were reported. One would think that by this time the large number of infections should have equated to a lot more deaths than this. And Leicester hospitals report just 1 death over the last 19 days.
Recent 7 day (daily) average of deaths in UK was just 13 - out of a population close to 70 million.
Wife and I are off to Spain in MH in a few weeks time with Government red tape being our only worry. Good to hear how others are coping though.

 

[dunnah01]

Because geographically, the vast majority of the France land mass has a relatively low infection rate, skewed by a few hotspots. The FCO advice just isn't sophisticated enough to be able to identify/isolate those areas apparently.

We're the only van at Lac De Thorenc tonight and feel very Covid isolated - even if this doddery French guy in a white beemer hadn't quite understood that social distancing of 1m is a minimum..

 

[Hymerbell]

Why on earth would anyone want to go to France at the moment when the FO advises against it??

I think as Davro said 13 deaths out of 70 million needs to be reiterated. The problem is that there are a lot of very risk averse people out there who are scared to cross the road unless the green man says it’s OK...in this case the FCO...they hate the fact that others are still out there enjoying themselves with a completely different risk reward analysis...and so seek some sort of moral high ground over others in order to hide their own fears and inability to understand that life is for living even at the risk of maybe dying....a very small risk in this case. If they are so scared of catching it even at the expense of living a deadly dull existence then they can stay indoors and they’ll be fine....but don’t try to tell others that this frankly awful fearful way of living ones life is in anyway a good thing.....

“And then there is the most dangerous risk of all — the risk of spending your life not doing what you want on the bet you can buy yourself the freedom to do it later.” – Randy Komisar

 

[Hymerbell]

We're the only van at Lac De Thorenc tonight and feel very Covid isolated - even if this doddery French guy in a white beemer hadn't quite understood that social distancing of 1m is a minimum..

View attachment 416221

Are you sure he’s French.....he looks a bit far away to me...

 

[Barclaybasher]

A rate of say 20 (uk) or 30 (France) infected cases per 100,000

- on my travels I might actually meet 100 people a week close up apart from family - shopping, eating out -

but say it's 1,000.....

Have I got wrong but I am still not likely to meet anyone infected and even then might not myself be infected - whether in the UK or France, Spain, Portugal etc...?

And if I maintain SD surely the risk is even lower......

So as soon as I can I will return to the empty aires in France and Spain...rather than remote cls or sites in the UK...

Do so many on here think they know exactly where the virus is?

So many who stay here say the remote places in the Uk are safer - where do they think we go in Europe?

....to remote places......

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[Sue]

I think as Davro said 13 deaths out of 70 million needs to be reiterated. The problem is that there are a lot of very risk averse people out there who are scared to cross the road unless the green man says it’s OK...in this case the FCO...they hate the fact that others are still out there enjoying themselves with a completely different risk reward analysis...and so seek some sort of moral high ground over others in order to hide their own fears and inability to understand that life is for living even at the risk of maybe dying....a very small risk in this case. If they are so scared of catching it even at the expense of living a deadly dull existence then they can stay indoors and they’ll be fine....but don’t try to tell others that this frankly awful fearful way of living ones life is in anyway a good thing.....

“And then there is the most dangerous risk of all — the risk of spending your life not doing what you want on the bet you can buy yourself the freedom to do it later.” – Randy Komisar

Wonderful
It’s great to read someone with common sense.

 

[Swifter]

Really enjoying the debate here . I can see both sides and I just hope everyone does what’s best for their health ( including their mental health ) at these confusing times .

 

[Sue]

As of yesterday the infection rate in France as a whole had been over 20/100k for a week ... the UK overall rate was 19.8.

But people from the UK hotspots can go where they like when they like within the UK.

None of it makes sense - our government, and all the others, are faffing about like headless chickens. We must all do what is sensible for ourselves and the wider society within the limits of what is allowed at the time.

The trouble is ‘what is allowed’ is being decided by the very people you describe as faffing about like headless chickens. That is what is so frustrating .
To France in September for us...can’t wait.

 

[Jezzerr]

Been in France 10 days. Toured thru Epernay, Burgundy, Avignon to family in S.E.
General observation is that folk are sensible, not hysterical.
Sites all welcoming and sensible precautions apparent but lot of bars and small restaurants are very shut.

 

[pandas]

I think as Davro said 13 deaths out of 70 million needs to be reiterated. The problem is that there are a lot of very risk averse people out there who are scared to cross the road unless the green man says it’s OK...in this case the FCO...they hate the fact that others are still out there enjoying themselves with a completely different risk reward analysis...and so seek some sort of moral high ground over others in order to hide their own fears and inability to understand that life is for living even at the risk of maybe dying....a very small risk in this case. If they are so scared of catching it even at the expense of living a deadly dull existence then they can stay indoors and they’ll be fine....but don’t try to tell others that this frankly awful fearful way of living ones life is in anyway a good thing.....

“And then there is the most dangerous risk of all — the risk of spending your life not doing what you want on the bet you can buy yourself the freedom to do it later.” – Randy Komisar

With respect I believe it’s not about being scared, being at risk, being cowardly in anyway and I object that you think it is.
It is being respectful of this very serious pandemic sweeping almost every country in the World. We cannot bury our heads in the sand thinking it doesn’t exist. Too many lives lost, too many have lost their livelihoods education and we should focus on the best way to stop this virus. Going on jolly is in my view not the answer, it is of course your choice but please do not be critical of those that have another view. Enjoy your holiday.

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[sallylillian]

What was the name of that robot in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy....

HAL

 

[Barclaybasher]

With respect I believe it’s not about being scared, being at risk, being cowardly in anyway and I object that you think it is.
It is being respectful of this very serious pandemic sweeping almost every country in the World. We cannot bury our heads in the sand thinking it doesn’t exist. Too many lives lost, too many have lost their livelihoods education and we should focus on the best way to stop this virus. Going on jolly is in my view not the answer, it is of course your choice but please do not be critical of those that have another view. Enjoy your holiday.

If we stop 'living' the virus 'wins' without infecting everyone.

It is not 'sweeping' Europe anymore - we have 'spikes'

It is killing businesses and destroying jobs

Stay in and help the virus win - get out and get back to living a normal life

 

[Swifter]

If we stop 'living' the virus 'wins' without infecting everyone.

It is not 'sweeping' Europe anymore - we have 'spikes'

It is killing businesses and destroying jobs

Stay in and help the virus win - get out and get back to living a normal life

you make a good point . This is a terrible time but we can’t all stay at home forever . I hope everyone can do what they feel is right and that people can understand that not everyone makes the same choices

 

[SMB]

Arrived in France via Eurotunnel yesterday evening, heading to Spain to see my elderly mother who has not had an easy lockdown there and needs a visit and company. We would rather wait until a vaccine was available for her but that could be years away. We will be isolating as best we can, no visiting friends on the way down, using aires (which should be more easily available due to reduced numbers) and we've stocked up on food prior to leaving. We're actually looking forward to taking a couple of weeks or so to get there, normally it's more rushed. I feel as safe here if not more so than at home, there's more room and less people about in the rural areas which we will be sticking to and social distancing should be no different. We don't intend to return home until March and if there's a spike where my mother lives we'll move on out of the way.

 

[philann]

HAL

Marvin

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[pandas]

If we stop 'living' the virus 'wins' without infecting everyone.

It is not 'sweeping' Europe anymore - we have 'spikes'

It is killing businesses and destroying jobs

Stay in and help the virus win - get out and get back to living a normal life

I am not sure you quite understand what people are saying. Some are so polarised in their view (maybe you are in this category) - with percieved options of either hide inside or act as if there is no pandemic that they loose their compass. To be clear most would not like to be in lock-down again and the reason for the interventions/restrictions is try and prevent this from happening whilst trying to get on with our lives as best we can. Just to remind you pubs and restaurants are open, there is even a discount scheme to encourage you to go. People are going about their work with the protocols in place unless they can work from home, children will be going back to school next term. But in order to allow this to happen we cannot act as if there is no pandemic, don't to go mass events, church services, raves, wear masks, keep to social distancing etc and if we do we can manage to get to a better place than we were even before. If we don't the we will be in real lock-down again. So put your own negative views of how you believe other people are reacting and go and thrash that credit card of yours which will in some small way help the economy - but do it within the sprit of whats being asked of us. For me my credit card spend is about 15% down on what it would be normally.

 

[dunnah01]

Marvin

The paranoid Android - I'm so depressed..

 

[Reallyretired]

What was the name of that robot in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy....

Marvin. But I cant see the connection. He had a terrible pain in the diodes down his left side and due to time travel ended up several times the age of the universe.

 

[Shrimp]

We are here, Aire hopping, have been for a fortnight and will stay for couple more weeks. Decided not to panic about going back to UK.
When we return to UK we will Q for 14 days or whatever is needed, will be no different to what we have been doing for several months now.
No problems with any of the the French they’re all wearing masks, a lot of them outside too!
We feel that we probably come into contact with less people here than in UK as using Aires you don’t have to contact anyone.

 

[Janecambridge]

With respect I believe it’s not about being scared, being at risk, being cowardly in anyway and I object that you think it is.
It is being respectful of this very serious pandemic sweeping almost every country in the World. We cannot bury our heads in the sand thinking it doesn’t exist. Too many lives lost, too many have lost their livelihoods education and we should focus on the best way to stop this virus. Going on jolly is in my view not the answer, it is of course your choice but please do not be critical of those that have another view. Enjoy your holiday.

I agree. It’s so depressing to read some of these posts. Death rate is not the only factor. It is the long term (many unknown) effects it has on the body. The long term cost to the health service.
If you are going to France, you are well aware of the restrictions as so many of you have said you will be putting them into your daily routine! I cannot understand why you would follow some very strict advice from our government, yet ignore the essential travel advice.
Well bon voyage. Hope you have good insurance to get you treated and get your possessions and loved ones home. Hope you have extremely good health to see you through this safely.

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[Minnie]

We live on the border of greater Manchester which has restrictions in place.
There are hundreds of people flocking from there to a local beauty spot a mile away from us , so much of a problem that the police have had to intervene.
Our village is packed with people drunk and falling out of the pubs.
out local supermarket has people shopping without masks.
we have stuck to the rules throughout and worked every day to keep our business safe for our staff to come back to.
we plan a trip to Greece to wildcamp next week.
we believe we are safer isolating in our van than staying here where it is none sense.
There are local raves attended by thousands of youths and the police can do nothing where is the sense in that.
We have not been out apart from essential shopping , no socialising even with family.
we were devastated by the recent travel
advice but have made the decision to go anyway as we deem it to be safer to rest and relax in the sun by ourselves than staying around here.
We are fit and healthy and will wear protective gear and stay away from everyone as best we can.
we will Q on our return and continue to avoid public places here just as before.
I don’t believe in anyway that this is irresponsible, selfish or flippant.
We take the virus extremely seriously, but that is not the case locally where we live for a minority of people.
That scares me , not our planned rest.
We must all make our own choices based on best knowledge and with the good of everyone in mind, not selfishly or glibly.
It is entirely evident that people will always have opposing views on any subject especially those which involve fear and possible harm.
At the end of the day we must respect others right to decide for themselves and accept it is there choice.
We can do nothing about it anyway whether we agree or not.
Let’s be kind and intelligent about the situation and do what we know is the best and safe thing wether here or abroad.

 

[Viennese]

Deleted

 

[Two on Tour]

Marvin. But I cant see the connection. He had a terrible pain in the diodes down his left side and due to time travel ended up several times the age of the universe.

 

[glenn2926]

Sounds lovely . Funny enough for our plan B I looked at the Isle of Wight. I’ve never been so would have no idea what it’s like, ferry crossings etc. Can you recommend a site that would take a twin axle?

Just had five days at white field forest site. There were a couple of yank RVs on there. Lovely site, Tesco within walking distance.

 

[56785]

Jane Hi, I cannot find any statistics on long term effects on our bodies but I do know, from my Health worker mates, that out Hospital COVID wards are almost empty.
At the start of this awful pandemic I listened to a lecture on You Tube by a lady called Dolores Cahill, an expert molecular geneticist. She predicted the catastrophic rise in deaths, followed by a rapid decline - exactly what is happening now. She matched the shape of the 'death rate by date graphs' to a couple of previous Flu epidemics. Then she concluded that we should eventually get back to normal lives, including getting our kids to school, to build up the Herd Immunity more quickly.
So, do I believe Boris or Dolores?

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[MisterB]

Thanks for all the concerned comments about returning to France after just 3 days in the UK ..... especially those in support of what I also understand to be legal position.

 

[matt34]

If we stop 'living' the virus 'wins' without infecting everyone.

It is not 'sweeping' Europe anymore - we have 'spikes'

It is killing businesses and destroying jobs

Stay in and help the virus win - get out and get back to living a normal life

This is what ive been saying we cant live like this forever,Life has to go on ,As for France enjoy its great place to be! Long long beaches not as many on them and most are sensible 1st capmsite we went on brilliant very aware 2nd one not so but we are careful and enjoyed it, we found the younger generation seem to not care and the other nation's there seem worse but can be avoided,just have fun!!

 

[Kirsten]

We are still slithering about going to France on return from Slapton Sands - thought about Germany but have had an email in German from the whatever it is crit air thing saying something wrong with application .. ( thought I had done so well attaching the pdf v5 thing ..obs not won’t have time to re send now I fear and too complicated to avoid places where you need one .... )
Interesting to see the comments here, both viewpoints have some validity but we think risk in France lower than here and we are in desperate need of a quiet break ( Slapton lovely but loads of noise on site -busy in locality -we prefer isolation of aires and less populated places)
What is puzzling me is are people expected to actually Q 14 in France on arrival ? As some posts here imply this is not being enforced?

 

[jessthedog]

[QUOTE="Kirsten, post: 4041833, member: 36214"
What is puzzling me is are people expected to actually Q 14 in France on arrival ? As some posts here imply this is not being enforced?
[/QUOTE]
There was talk of France reciprocating the 14 day quarantine, but havent yet! Not saying they won’t, so keep your ear to the ground.

 

[Spriddler]

What is puzzling me is are people expected to actually Q 14 in France on arrival ? As some posts here imply this is not being enforced?

That's new to me. I think people only need to Q when arriving in U.K. from France, not on arrival in France from U.K.

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