As France enters a strict four-week lockdown in order to prevent a dangerous second wave of corona virus, its independent booksellers have requested the status (地位) of an essential service.
A statement announced by booksellers' association wants bookshops to be listed together with supermarkets and drugstores as necessary to human well-being. Bookstores might not be the first thing that comes to mind when we think about what's needed in a dangerous situation, but they offer mental comfort that few other businesses can match. "Books satisfy our needs for understanding, reflection, sharing and communication, even in separation," says the statement. They appeal to the French government to "leave our bookstores open, so that social separation is not also cultural isolation（隔离）."
Bookstores have already established rules of conduct that allow shopping to occur in a safe, germ-free manner. They want curbside (路边) pickup to be allowed to continue, which means placing a customer's order to his car trunk without the buyer leaving his vehicle. The staff should wear a mask and stay at least six feet of distance while delivering goods.
We also reached out to the American Booksellers Association (ABA) to learn whether American booksellers also view themselves as a much-needed service. CEO Allison Hill admits that booksellers "in no way outweigh healthcare workers during the stay-at-home period," but the role of bookstores and books should not be underestimated. Books are important to many people this year for various reasons, including homeschooling, education, emotional support, connection, and humanity. That is why "bookstores in the U.S. are given essential status during shutdowns so that they can continue offering curbside service." Despite this, independent booksellers are struggling across the US, as they are in France. Hill said in a press release that one bookshop has closed per week since COVID-19 started and that 25% are in danger of closing by January.
Why did the association announce the statement?
