Now that pandemic curves of infection and
death rates are decelerating in many cities, counties, states, and nations,
government authorities are phasing in the re-opening of economies and daily
activity. However, France’s phased re-opening plan announced by the Prime Minister
on April 28, 2020 (Philippe, 2020), exhibited much caution, clearly shattering all illusions of
an immediate "return to (old) normalcy", prior to lockdown, more than 10 weeks ago.
Indeed, the phased re-opening of France’s economy
and of the life of its citizens, scheduled to begin on May 11, was prefaced with a clear understanding that the virus had not disappeared, that no cure or vaccine
currently exists, and that only the most restrictive lockdown measures were
being lifted, in an attempt to prevent a second outbreak of infections that could
slam the healthcare system, already weakened by the first outbreak. An
understanding that clearly refused to undermine the severity of the current outbreak, which has claimed 27,425 lives (1), in France alone, and where a steady
toll of approximately 200 deaths is still posted daily--even if this number appears falsely insignificant
compared to the tenfold accelerating rates that were posted previously.
Thus, ITRW (in the real world), considering
a virus that is assumed still lurking, the absence of a cure or vaccine
immunity, and regional disparities in the severity of outbreaks, the following is an example of how
re-opening currently plays out, for small places of public gathering, and cultural
benefit. Succinctly, this the new "new normal", post lockdown.
The (scientific) Illusions Museum in Paris, one of France’s newest small
museums, reopened on May 11, 2020. Launched on Dec. 22, 2019, and closed on
March 14 as part of the lockdown measures to mitigate the spread of COVID 19,
The Illusions Museum unlocked its doors under the strictest safety protocol. A protocol that includes:
- Internet reservations for a time-slotted visit with no more than a total of 70 patrons at any given time, visiting the museum
- Distribution and mandatory use of face masks
- Social distance specified via floor markings throughout the museum
- Installation of plexiglass shields for viewing the 70 scientific exhibits
- Disinfection routines for the premises throughout the day
- Multiple touchless hand-gel sanitizer stations, and
- Tap payment for transactions at the museum
The image below shows one of the disinfection
routines carried out by museum staff, wearing hazmat gear, at The Illusions Museum.
Note
(1) Figures reported on May 14, 2020, at France's COVID19 government statistics site: https://www.gouvernement.fr/info-coronavirus/carte-et-donnees.
References
Agoudetsé, B. (30 avril 2020) À Paris, le nouveau musée de l’Illusion prépare sa réouverture dès le
11 mai - Le Parisien
Musée des Illusions - Illusions Museum (Paris, France)
Philippe, E. (April 28, 2020)
Présentation de la stratégie nationale de déconfinement
