We started the year 2021 with the hope of getting out of the health crisis, thanks in particular to vaccination. But we realize a year later that everything is much more complex and that the virus is still there. A situation with multiple challenges, depending on the sociologist and research director at CNRS Jean Viard, in “Question de société” on franceinfo Saturday January 1, 2022
franceinfo: How has the situation changed in a year ?
Jean Viard : The risk of dying has decreased, which is still not marginal. But it is true that a year ago, we basically thought that once vaccinated, we would resume the life before. And there we are in a new phase. We realize that we have not left the hostel, that it may last a very long time. Maybe we will have to revaccinate. Maybe deep down, if everyone agreed to be vaccinated, it would be a little regular illness. So we change our imagination, but at the same time we don’t have the impression that we are going to get out of it. And that, I think it’s scary. It’s unpredictable. We’re all tired. There is a rise in violence in football matches, against women, against elected officials. At the same time, there are lots of positive elements, but it is heavy to bear.
2020 was a year of collective efforts, of solidarity, in particular to protect the elderly, the most exposed to the virus. 2021 was a year of fundamental trend acceleration. We refocus on our loved ones, on the local, especially with teleworking, deliveries. What does 2022 have in store for us and what about the French who are massively vaccinated, but who also have to deal with new restrictions, including immediate ones?
It must be said something that will surprise everyone, but the satisfaction and happiness index is increasing. On average, there are 75% of French people who say: “I’m happy” (according to the Territories Barometer published on Tuesday November 16, 2021). Why ? Because somewhere, we feel protected. We are economically protected. The clients do not work, the state pays for you, or pays a salary. The state, casually, we can discuss it, but everyone understood that it was so uncertain that basically it governs on sight and therefore, ultimately, people are more satisfied. This is what is extremely paradoxical and at the same time, they are tired, depressed. We are in this contradiction. But you have to see both sides.
It also shows one thing – and Churchill said it very well – after great times of crisis, what we want is solidarity. It’s basically saying to yourself: there we have known protection rules during the pandemic which is far from over, we want it to continue. Look at the major social laws in 45 in France, England, etc. Moreover, it is amusing to see that in 47, Churchill said: basically, I would rather want to vote Labor. He was the curator. We are in this paradox. We want to be protected. Our left is completely in deficit, to say the least. So is protection going to be xenophobic nationalism? Or is it going to be basically the outgoing president’s principle of authority? That is what we will see next year.
There is, despite this desire for solidarity and fraternity, a cleavage today between vaccinated and unvaccinated. The constraint must now weigh on the unvaccinated. This is what Prime Minister Jean Castex explained a few days ago. Is that a change in doctrine?
It’s very complicated because if we were all vaccinated deep down, it seems that this disease would pass us. We could catch it. We could pass it on. But basically, it wouldn’t be extremely serious. We’d have a little fever for a day or two, then voila. It wouldn’t be great, but it would be possible. I see the doctors. It is hopeless for them to be invaded by people who refused to be vaccinated when there is a vaccine. It’s good that they take care of them. I mean frankly, in terms of ethics and values, the medical world is really great because, sorry, these people are ruining their lives.
We are in a situation where it is logical to put pressure on the unvaccinated, but at the same time, it means that the State is restricting the freedom of individuals and I understand that this can be shocking. But, at one point, it’s a bit like when you are called for conscription, you don’t always want to go to war, you’re not militarist, you don’t like it, and at the same time there are times when the country is invaded you have to defend yourself. It’s a strong period and at the same time it’s violent because we are adopting habits of reduced freedoms. And inevitably, if the virus lasts another three, four, five years, it becomes heavy habits. There are all these issues, they should not be underestimated.