Poster: A snowHead
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Hi
a quick question to thiose who might know...
Just wondering how 'normal' is life in the french alps at the moment.
cheers
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Very little social distancing in Tignes and Annecy according to separate mates, seems pretty much like a normal summer.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Heading out there next Friday to our wee house-currently in mid renovation. Looking at the posts from local permanent residents on the Valley Echo and St Martin facebook pages, there seems to be plenty going on, including restaurants open. Rob our builder said Les Menuires is busy-more than normal I think. The urge to get out into open spaces has boosted the summer economy.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Pretty much business as usual here in Serre Chevalier, plenty of masks being worn, and as Chocksaway said, getting a little lax on social distancing and this week is heaving at the start of the French holidays!
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Business as usual in Chamonix - masks being worn when people remember/can be arsed to remind you and social distancing pretty much out the window.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Masks will be compulsory indoors from 1st August.
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Not much different in Les Deux Alpes tbh.
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I spent the weekend in Tignes and things were surprisingly normal. In general that was good but the Grande Motte funicular made us feel unsafe - it was rammed with no social distancing. Staff were practically forcing extra people on board to reach the usual capacity.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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We are in Les Arcs at the moment and the resort is looking just about normal for the summer, with renovation work and tidying up going on. The only exception is that in the shops everyone is wearing face masks.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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We expect to be in Chatel mid August. Can anyone point me in the direction of the definitive source of rules (mask wearing, what is allowed to open, other restrictions)? Official FR government source preferred!
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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@johnE, can you pop round to 1950 and advise how social distancing is going over there?
For various reasons I'm about to ask for the 'official' version from da management - but from the above, boots on the ground can obviously be a better indicator!
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PinkPig wrote: |
I spent the weekend in Tignes and things were surprisingly normal. In general that was good but the Grande Motte funicular made us feel unsafe - it was rammed with no social distancing. Staff were practically forcing extra people on board to reach the usual capacity. |
Same with the Aiguille du Midi, but just on the downhill ride!
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You know it makes sense.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Are people obviously using the French STOP Covid contact tracing app do you know? I've downloaded it and the Swiss Swiss Covid app ahead of our summer trip next month. Both are voluntary (I think) but it seems sensible to activate it and and was just wondering if either has actually picked-up any local outbreaks so far?
If these apps are actually helpful then I can envisage having to get used to more episodes of local outbreak containment i.e. for the next season, the concern won't be so much a national lockdown as oppsed to what happens in a local lockdown and the mechansm for your being contacted and having to isolate in situ.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Given the relative populations, France and Swizerland are about the same.
In Chamonix the busineses want the Brits back (they hate the Parisians currently here on cheap deals) but are scared what they may bring.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Whilst the Brits are dying at a greater rate than the French, though the counting methodology is different, the new cases of the lurgy are not wildly different. Yesterday France 416, UK 538 for very similar populations.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Always carry 3 masks.
On and off the slopes.
Morning, day, and night.
One to wear.
One in case a strap breaks.
One in case it gets lost.
The death plague has not gone away.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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davidof wrote: |
Masks will be compulsory indoors from 1st August. |
Why August?
Has there been uptick of cases? If so, why wait till August? Hasn't been enough talk of "had we done this or that 1 week or 10 dat early..."?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@abc, supply chain probably
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Nadenoodlee wrote: |
@abc, supply chain probably |
Are you talking about mask “supply”?
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The super u in bourg was strange compared with those in the UK. No wiping down of trollies. No real attempt at social distancing and only about 2/3 of customers wearing masks. And no garlic for sale.
In arc 1600 last night there were no bars open.
There were less climbers at Notre dame du pre yesterday normal
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Nadenoodlee wrote: |
@abc, supply chain probably |
Yes.
Big uptick in infections esp. Paris and the West.
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We arrived in Les Carroz last Friday. It had similar infection rates to our village at home ad like ours only 1 death. Our kids have worked remotely for this last week as have we. Signing off work for 10 days from later tonight. Drive down was OK, masked / gloved up for the service stations and plenty of hand sanitisers. Ate outside on Sunday and drank at outside bars. We wear masks when we go inside shops, as do a lot. Spoke to locals we know and they were pleased to see us as they need the money but they are hoping the Parisians will bypass and head for the South. Heading to Annecy on Monday for some lake activities and one daughter wants to do some shopping. Some big gatherings (visiting choirs that come every summer for a series of concerts)have been cancelled but other village activities in the square still going ahead.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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we went on a rafting trip down the Isere today and it was very much as normal with everyone wearing masks indoors and on the bus. There was even a large group of white water canooists going down the river training for an event later in the year. We even ate outside att he Tounea restaurant opposite the Train station in Bourg. The tables were set the regulation goat's length apart and all the staff wore masks. Social distancing was not obeserved on the funicular, however. They had a picture of a goat at the station to show how far apart you should be.
For tomorrow we have rented electric mountain bikes.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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johnE wrote: |
The tables were set the regulation goat's length apart and all the staff wore masks. They had a picture of a goat at the station to show how far apart you should be. |
Jesus! Acting the goat
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You know it makes sense.
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@Bergmeister, don't get me started on spurious and completely unnecessary words used when perfectly adequate ones exist. I can still remember IBM coming to our workplace (about 12 years ago) spraying functionality like confetti. The word had an R rate greater than you know what.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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I know R rate is less significant with small numbers but its now 1.29 in Rhone Alpes, 1.55 in Provence Alpes and 2.62 in Brittany. On Friday France had a new case rate of 12.8 per million folks, so still low (UK 10.1, Spain 29.9, Portugal 26.9, Germany 6.0, Austria 18.7, Switzerland 10.8, Belgium 19.5 - for comparison from Worldometers, lies damn lies and statistics warning!)
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Poster: A snowHead
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Our case rate is much higher than 10.1 per million. Somewhere around 1700 per day according to the govt ONS, 2100 according to the latest Kings college research (https://covid.joinzoe.com/data ) , so 30 per million and rising (their data a week ago suggested 1400 per day. I’ve been following the latter and post my health status daily since March-it’s worth Signing up and helping the research. They’re the team that managed to persuade our useless govt, finally, to add anosmia to the symptom list.
Heading to France overnight via the tunnel on Thursday..Will be extra careful this week at work, 3 days of socially distanced but in person court hearing coming up...Then a week of DIY on the house in the mountains, and lots of outdoor activity for me and Mr P. Plus his significant birthday to be celebrated by just the two of us, with a nice lunch in a swanky looking mountain refuge above Les Allues. The plan for a bigger gathering had to be parked, but tbh, we are quite happy for it just to be us.. can’t wait!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Also heading off, in our case the overnight ferry from Hull on Monday evening. We have to go to Rotterdam which is further to drive, they aren't yet opening the Zeebrugge one to passengers. Hoping to be chilled in France with good walks and nice restaurants.
We will take 3 cloth masks each and a pack of disposable ones, hoping we can manage as necessary.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@Perty, The source for the UK figures within worldometers is from .gov.uk, so it seems reasonable to use it when comparing with other countries data. I can't find any new case data on the ONS site, which is not a great site so that may be me. Zoe is based on 4 million people on an app it would appear, if that methodology was used in other countries higher results would also be likely. So I don't think its valid to say our rate is much higher as you did without much greater analysis.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Perty wrote: |
Our case rate is much higher than 10.1 per million. Somewhere around 1700 per day according to the govt ONS, 2100 according to the latest Kings college research (https://covid.joinzoe.com/data ) , |
You can only test people who will go for a test. Anyone with symptoms can get tested. Old folks in homes are routinely getting tested. So if that is the number being published, then that is the number you should use. Its possible there are more who are not showing symptoms or only mild symptoms, but this would be the same in any country.
I don't think the Zoe App or ONS guesstimates are much of a true marker. No doubt with the pubs open, lots of people will be putting on zoe they feel bad, headache, tired, etc. Suffering from a hangover... not covid.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I read the evidence and research ...the only reason I posted was to point out we shouldn’t get too relaxed about it. I’m no scientist, but like to read and understand the evidence. I’m a lawyer...I like evidence, I like to understand methodology, and I like to question the source of information
BTW..Zoe does random testing of participants who claim symptoms. A response that you feel ill does not count as a positive test. The boffins test a proportion those who claim they are ill to get their stats. They are not stupid enough to think that self report equals a positive test. That would be daft.
Anyway...thread drift here...and it’s making me cross.
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@Mr.Egg, the ONS figures are not "guesstimates" but proper estimates collected from a stratified sample of the population who are tested even if there are reporting no symptoms. Since they are a sample they also publish the error bars.
Anyway back to the topic.
Yesterday we rented e-bikes and went around the resort trails of les arcs. All was much as normal. However, mask were worn at all points indoors. We were allowed to take ours off while sitting at a table in a restaurant in the evening but the staff kept theirs on.
The lifties are being strict on wearing face masks. I saw people being turned away from the transarc because they were not wearing masks. Most lifts are only carrying one person at a time, but even those have to wear a mask.
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Heading back from Morzine this morning. Most bars and restaurants are quite keen to ask you to put a mask on when moving about (visiting the loo etc). We were walking/road biking and lifts were running at reduced capacity but no big queues anywhere. Most/all shops open and most/all folk masked up in them.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Mask theatre back in full force as of tomorrow. But that aside, Chamonix pretty much back to normal.
Economically, it seems, talking to local bar and shop owners, that they’re seeing typical numbers and spend of French tourists but suffering from a lack of yanks and brits. Which is no surprise to anyone.
Not wanting to pee Perty off by drifting, but we had the most excellent supper in Mumma on Friday. Low temp roast salmon absolutely delightful, although Mrs U couldn’t get past the soft-shell crab tempura.
Just sayin’.
(We were inside and masks not insisted on for transits).
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The French government has now finalized its new confinement plan. The aim is to keep the workers working so the plan would first target old people's homes then may confine retirees to their homes and immediate surroundings. I think 4 levels are envisaged. The aim is to avoid a global re-confinement this winter with the expected "second" wave of covid. (which, of course, may not happen).
I also had some information from the local ski club. All the clubs have financial problems and they are trying to work out solutions with the sports ministry but the level of activity will be less next season and they've been warned to expect restrictions during the winter so should plan with this in mind (ie not launch into any expensive events that will than be cancelled).
For some training we're doing we're having to go to Switzerland this summer as a lot isn't running or going to run in France before 2021.
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