Is this a new method to be applied during future crises? During the years 2020 and 2021, faced with the Covid-19 pandemic, the government deployed an unprecedented system to monitor the state of opinion, as shown by the confidential polls commissioned by the executive during this period. Investigations intended to shed light on the action of power, that The world obtained through a request for access to administrative documents.
In two years, the government information service (SIG) has used more than 225 studies, for a minimum amount of 2 million euros. Online questionnaires, telephone surveys, qualitative studies, online community, French society has been examined from all angles, with much more advanced methods than during previous crises of the quinquennium, such as that of the “yellow vests”, where the government had ordered nine studies for 140,000 euros between December 3 and 19, 2018. “It’s an extensive panoply to follow public opinion as closely as possible.comments Brice Teinturier, deputy director general of the Ipsos institute, which produces studies for the GIS, including some on Covid-19. There is rarely such a complete system, but the crisis was unprecedented in its magnitude. »
From the knowledge of the barrier gestures in the population, to their state of concern day after day, through their judgment of the action of the government, the range of questions asked is very wide. Opinion studies are also used to test future advertisements, in order to measure their acceptability. On February 5, 2021, while cafes and restaurants are still closed, the French are polled by the IFOP on the idea of a “reopening as soon as possible only for vaccinated people” – or the principle of the vaccination pass. The majority of those questioned say they are in favor of it, but the prospect will only materialize in January 2022.
Refuse the non-vaccinated in intensive care?
The approval of the opinion does not necessarily lead to a decision. Popular formulas are not retained, such as the vaccination obligation for people over 60 (66% declare themselves for in July 2021) or the police (75% of favorable opinions in August 2021) or further extension of the health pass in the company or the metro (more than 58% for July 2021).
Other measures to limit the rights of unvaccinated people have been tested but not implemented. In December 2021, the executive thus wondered about a vaccination obligation, accompanied by a fine in the event of non-compliance. The measure is rejected by 55% of respondents. The refusal of unvaccinated people in intensive care will be tested a few days later (82% against), as will the reimbursement of their hospitalization costs (71% against). The executive comes up against a paradoxical situation. If, at the end of July 2021, the majority of the population has a complete vaccination schedule and supports the health pass, it does not show resentment towards those who oppose it. Studies show that about half of respondents say they understand, without necessarily supporting, anti-pass protesters.
You have 45.27% of this article left to read. The following is for subscribers only.