What’s striking about the plan to end France’s lockdown is how little constraint there is – especially on employers. This does not bode well for the brave new world we’ve been promised when the epidemic is over.
The Paris region is the worst hit by Covid-19. It’s also the most important for the economy, producing 30% of GDP. There is clearly a certain amount of haste to get people back to work, despite the clear danger of a second wave in one of the most densely populated parts of the world.
With cinemas, theatres, bars and restaurants still closed, the place you’re most likely to pick up the virus is on public transport. That will be up and running at 75% capacity on Monday, according to the people who run the Ile de France network.
Passengers will only be able to use every other seat and will have to wear face masks. In rush hour, 5.30 to 9.30 in the morning and from 15.30 to 19.30, you will only be allowed to ride the rails if you are on your way to work and can prove it with a declaration from your employer.
La Région @iledefrance, @IDFmobilites, l’Etat, les partenaires sociaux et les opérateurs des #transportsIDF s'engagent pour organiser et maîtriser le flux de voyageurs en vue du déconfinement et ainsi éviter la propagation du #COVID19 ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/CKWZMMas6H
— Région Île-de-France (@iledefrance) May 6, 2020
The government has appealed to people to keep working from home. Perhaps some employers are saving money on energy and maintenance, but won’t many of them put pressure on their workers to come to work? How many employees will feel able to resist such pressure and what protection do they have, if they do?
Many people are itching to leave home, inclined to confuse the end of lockdown with the end of the risk to their health and the virus is still out there, looking for people to infect.
I fear there will be packed métro and suburban trains on Monday, bringing the risk of a second wave.
The economy is in recession, companies are going out of business and jobs are being lost. Macron has promised a more socially and ecologically responsible country when the epidemic is over.
But a green economy won’t grow itself. This can’t be left to the invisible hand of the market. Instead of handing out unconditional aid to airlines and other big polluters, the state must syphon money from the industries that threaten our future into industries that are socially and environmentally responsible. And, if it wants to avoid a Gilets Jaunes-type backlash, it must guarantee jobs with equivalent pay and conditions to workers laid off because of the changes.
Capital will resist such action with cries of dirigisme and authoritarianism. I don’t see Macron, or any of our other present world leaders, facing down that pressure, do you?
France’s Covid-19 death toll now officially stands at 25,987, up 178 in the past 24 hours. 23,208 people are in hospital, down 775 yesterday, with 2,961 in intensive care, down 775. 55,027 people have been discharged from hospital.
