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France's response to the Covid-19 pandemic: between a rock and a hard place

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  • Or, Zeynep
  • Gandré, Coralie
  • Durand Zaleski, Isabelle
  • Steffen, Monika

Abstract

France is one of the European countries hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. The pandemic brought into light structural weaknesses of the health system, including its governance and decision-making process, but also provoked changes that helped to improve its resilience. We analyse the French experience of Covid-19 in 2020 by critically reviewing major policy measures implemented during the first two waves of the pandemic. France has struggled to find the right balance between the rock of economic and social damage caused by containment measures and the hard alternative of a rapidly spreading pandemic. The response to the first wave, including a full lock-down, was an emergency response that revealed the low level of preparedness for pandemics and the overly hospital-centred provision of health care in France. During the second wave, this response evolved into a more level strategy trying to reconcile health needs in a broader perspective integrating socio-economic considerations, but without fully managing to put in place an effective health strategy. We conclude that to achieve the right balance, France will have to strengthen health system capacity and improve the cooperation between actors at central and local levels with greater participatory decision-making that takes into account local-level realities and the diversity of needs.

Suggested Citation

  • Or, Zeynep & Gandré, Coralie & Durand Zaleski, Isabelle & Steffen, Monika, 2022. "France's response to the Covid-19 pandemic: between a rock and a hard place," Health Economics, Policy and Law, Cambridge University Press, vol. 17(1), pages 14-26, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:hecopl:v:17:y:2022:i:1:p:14-26_2
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    1. Serghei PETIGHIN, 2024. "Pandemic-resilient investment policies: lessons learned from the COVID-19 crisis," Romanian Journal of Economics, Institute of National Economy, vol. 58(1(67)), pages 117-132, June.
    2. Borello, Giuliana & Muri, Roberta, 2024. "The effect of covid policy restrictions on donations during the sustainable and entrepreneurial context," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 177(C).
    3. Carlotta Amantea & Maria Francesca Rossi & Paolo Emilio Santoro & Flavia Beccia & Maria Rosaria Gualano & Ivan Borrelli & Joana Pinto da Costa & Alessandra Daniele & Antonio Tumminello & Stefania Bocc, 2022. "Medical Liability of the Vaccinating Doctor: Comparing Policies in European Union Countries during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-11, June.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • H11 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - Structure and Scope of Government
    • H12 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - Crisis Management
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health

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