In this period that does not inspire polemics, I want to first commend the efforts of Christian Estrosi for his crisis management, and through him, all the mayors of France who are on the front lines facing Covid-19. His determination notably allowed the people of Nice to benefit from free masks as they approached the end of the lockdown.
However, while his qualities have been evident during this period, his flaws have once again led to a legal muddle when what is needed is clear direction. His desire to make headlines at all costs, and to do more than others, has led to unnecessary one-upmanship and yesterday to an unenforceable decree.
Let’s set aside the staging of the mask reception on the airport tarmac. Everyone is entitled to their Hollywood moment of glory and the Mayor of Nice needs it more than others. But the decree making the wearing of masks mandatory in all public spaces, deviating from national measures, was disproportionate. It could only be struck down by the administrative judiciary, and to save face, led yesterday to another decree that is entirely incomprehensible and which itself will be obsolete by the end of the day! It’s a grand carnival and the people of Nice no longer understand anything.
It is time to revert to common sense measures that are easy to understand, which means the same as everywhere else and which have been reiterated by the Prefect: mandatory mask-wearing in public transport, taxis, and VTCs without plexiglass; allowing businesses to make it mandatory; and strongly recommending wearing masks in all public spaces.
Xavier GARCIA, First Secretary of the PS 06
