Claire’s take:

1. Describe your typical day.

I am a lawyer, and we are among the lucky ones able to work from home. Moreover, in the social business/non-profit field I’m working in, the activity has not decreased at all! Therefore, I work about 80% of the day. The main differences are no colleagues, no commute, and no working clothes!! As working life cannot be balanced with social life anymore, I've been exercising way more than I usually do. Any kind of outdoor sport to make the most of the garden (yoga, boxing, running...and since last week swimming!)

2. What restrictions have been imposed and do you think more there should be more or less regulation?

France has been under lockdown since March 15th. It has been about 2 months now. The measures were initially adopted for 2 weeks and have been carefully renewed every two weeks since then. Only necessary stores are kept open. We are allowed to go outside our home for 1 hour per day to exercise, but not more than 1 km (0.6 miles) away from our house. This of course does not include going grocery shopping. There is a limited number of people allowed inside the stores, so people queue up outside (sometimes for a very long time, depending on where you live). The authorities make sure people comply with the rules using a certificate system. Each time you go out, you download an attestation providing the time and reason for your outing. The quarantine ended for two-thirds of France, but travels will still be limited to 100 km and a lot of facilities will still be closed. 

In France, the parliament has placed the nation under "health emergency" and allowed the government to take drastic measures (which it usually cannot take without the parliament). Also, most of the people who can't work are paid 80% of their salary by the government. They also provide funding and to companies to help them face difficulties. Europe significantly participates in financial help as well. 

3. How do people feel about quarantine?

Our freedom is at risk in this situation and the quarantine + economical crisis will also have an impact on people's health. I think the regulation imposed was severe enough. The enforcement of the rules is another issue. It has been unfair to numerous districts where families are not wealthy enough to comply with the rules. I know I wouldn’t have stayed home either if I had 7 brothers in a small house with 1 computer for all of us.

Even though everyone has their own opinion (and expresses it!), I think people in general thought that quarantine was necessary but are now very concerned about our economical situation. 

Thibault’s take:

1. Describe your typical day.

My typical weekday starts at the same time as if I wasn't in quarantine, but because I’m working from home, I can wake up later than before! My work is the same as if I was in school (I'm an engineering student), but it's more difficult to be concentrate and I don’t get to see my friends. Luckily I have a mother who has the time to cook good things for my family, which helps with our morale!

2. What restrictions have been imposed and do you think more there should be more or less regulation?

In France, the quarantine did not affect everyone equally. People who live in little apartments are more affected by the quarantine. People can go outside to buy food or medicine, but we can't leave our city or stay outside for a long time. I think the restrictions were needed, but the government deciding to ease up on quarantine May 11th might help the economy survive.

3. How do people feel about quarantine?

Almost everyone stays at home and doesn't go outside. Everyone in France claps on their balcony at 8pm to thank the healthcare workers. In some places people have been helping each other -- young people going shopping for those more at risk. However, there are still people who don’t really care about quarantine who go outside and don’t follow the rules. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gF3KaPVL5o