Two days before Christmas, the stores are still full, as are the screening centers, such as the one in Planoise in Besançon. This Thursday, the long line was never empty, with dozens of people waiting to take a PCR test just before the holidays.
Pay attention to the most fragile
In the queue, many preferred get tested before meeting with family. “I did this last year and suddenly we renewed it out of respect for my grandparents“, explains a young woman.”If I catch it it’s not that embarrassing but I would be annoyed if I gave it to someone in my family“.”I have been in contact with a person who has the Covid“, explains a thirty-something.”I already did this seven days ago. And there, I do it again to be sure not to have it because afterwards, I’m leaving with the family. So I don’t want to infect anyone!“.
John the Baptist, too, is very cautious as the New Year’s Eve approaches, which he will celebrate with his family. “With people who are elderly or sensitive, it is better not to take risks, quite simply. Me, I am vaccinated and I made the third dose. I think the vaccine is effective for severe forms. Afterwards, it does not prevent the Covid from following, we can see it clearly. So, better take these precautions“.
Positives just before Christmas
For others, however, the party is already ruined. Eric and his wife Anne-Marie have already canceled everything. “Our daughter brought it back from Paris on Sunday evening. On Monday, she tested herself with a self test. She was positive. So she had a PCR test late Monday morning. And she was positive again. We put it aside. We tried to be careful. But since yesterday, we too, we cough, we have aches, we have a headache, we have a sore throat“, explains Eric, looking fatalistic.
“We had to go to Nice. Suddenly, the plans are canceled, he adds death in the soul. We’re a little sad but we still try to keep our spirits up. We will see each other a bit with the family on video, but it’s not the same. It could be worse but now we’re hitting rock bottom“, he concludes.