Coronavirus : citizen and political attitudes

Updated Monday 2 mars

Prevention and common sense would slow down the COVID virus 19 in France.

The coronavirus test: a new public health test

We're in a testing period…

A test for governments, a test for the citizens of the world, an economic test, an attitude test in general and a good way to test the management of a health crisis (in this case that of the coronavirus 2019-2020).

Quick and well

he it is obvious that from the moment health is at stake, it is necessary think fast and well.

People must act with common sense in the event of a virus, whatever it is (wash your hands regularly; do not go to a confined public place except in case of vital need; if a person has a flu-like illness and cough, wearing a mask; stop kissing and handshake, avoid public transport if possible, resort to telework…). The coronavirus must generate the same vigilance behaviors.

Learn more about the risks and the virus.

What is certain, the COVID19 virus does not mutate very little, that it spreads excessively quickly and doctors note that it spreads all over France. "We, doctors, we can not do anything. Nothing! We can only examine, notice and if there is a strong suspicion, we send to the hospital for our patient to have a thorough examination, which consists of a nasopharingeal sample. "

It is the cry of despair of an emergency doctor from the Bordeaux region. No need to blame him, there is no other choice. He doesn’t know much more than we do.

He doesn't know what this virus looks like, he doesn't know how to recognize him, he doesn't know how to treat him. He only knows the protocol and applies what the health authorities tell him to do. And these “are in the process of making the list of doctors and nurses currently retired to compensate for a possible shortage of carers” explains this other emergency doctor.

Deadly virus, virus to watch

In the present case, is a site, at the time of today, that the coronavirus also called COVID19, kill as many people (the most vulnerable) that the flu (to know 2,3% people affected to date, 2 mars 2020, even the youngest are not spared and have just declared themselves…).

 Coronavirus continues to spread worldwide. The epidemic has exceeded 3000 dead for more than 86.000 infections in sixty countries. “Like all respiratory viruses, COVID-19 virus spreads through postlets and droplets. A vector object, Furthermore, coming from afar because having spent a long time in routing, presents almost no risk” precise, on France Info, Astrid Vabret, head of the virology department of the Caen CHU.

We also know that France is the second country after Italy most affected with, to date sunday march 1st 2020, "130 confirmed cases, 12 healed, 2 deceased. 116 are hospitalized for reasons of isolation and nine are in serious clinical situations ", according to Jérôme Salomon, general manager of health. Anyway, as long as it's cold, and we have it for a few weeks, a few months even, the virus will be present. And don't count on a short-term vaccine: several months will be required.

It is high time that everyone takes responsibility: our leaders, to carry their mandate with dignity, must put aside electoral concerns and care about sanitary conditions before the economy.

To arms, citizens!

When in doubt, we abstain; in doubt a decision maker must take responsibility; in the doubt, everyone must remain vigilant, especially in the field of health: too much is not excessive.

The beautiful days and the heat may stifle these bad moments and announce them certainly some of the best… but for now, let's preserve.

Citizens have an interest in looking out for each other: to themselves, to their loved ones, to their close and less close entourage. In short, Others in general. We must put an end to gregarious and irresponsible behavior. Because this is a good war, a health war where you have to learn to defend yourself.

Everyone can do it and everyone should be able to take care of part of the problem, hard at heart thanks to scientists who understood the gravity of the situation without exaggerating it: doctors, medical teachers, epidemiologists, researchers, biologists watch and give specific instructions. Beware of sources of information that you must beware of not falling into “intoxication”.

An attitude of mutual trust and responsibility is required.

Valérie Doulevant

Find out more, simply: of specialists (doctors, ARS and Director General of CHU Bordeaux) clearly answer simple questions on the subject. Press conference organized by Sud Ouest and the Girondin hospital center