Coronavirus Is France's 'Greatest Health Crisis In A Century,' Says Macron

[appalachiablue]

Source: France24

French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday said that the coronavirus epidemic was France's worst health crisis in a century and announced that schools throughout the country would close from next week.

Creches, schools and also universities would close from Monday "until further notice", Macron said in an address to the nation on the fight against the coronavirus. He also urged all people older than 70, those who suffer chronic diseases, respiratory troubles and the handicapped, "to stay at home" if possible.

But the president also said that nationwide local elections scheduled for Sunday will not be postponed. "We are just at the beginning of this crisis," Macron said. "In spite of all our efforts to break it, this virus is continuing to propagate and to accelerate."

As for the elections, Macron said he had consulted scientists and other experts who were of the opinion that "there is nothing to prevent the French, even the most vulnerable, from going to the ballot box." The French president said Europe will have to react "fast, and strongly" to "relaunch" the economy in the wake of the epidemic, adding that any steps to close borders will have to be jointly decided "at the European level".

Read more: https://www.france24.com/en/20200312-coronavirus-is-france-s-greatest-health-crisis-in-a-century-says-macron

---

Macron said the measures against the virus were needed so that "we continue to win time against this epidemic" which he emphasised "has no passport".



Emmanuel Macron, speech made from The Elysee Palace in Paris, about the situation of the COVID-19 outbreak, caused by the novel coronavirus.

[yaesu]

1. Since 1918-19 no doubt, by the way, I'm watching American Experience right now about the 1918

flu epidemic.

[appalachiablue]

3. Tx, just posted the trailer in 'Video.' Hope I make it through this one!

[yaesu]

7. The young should breeze through it other then the economic aspect. But it should be a lesson to all

of us, don't take Mother Nature nor the Earth we live in for granted, everything we do has consequences, some serious.

[logme]

2. Some additional details

Some additional details regarding the measures announced:

"In the coming days, an exceptional and massive mechanism of subvention for partial unemployment will be implemented. The state will take care of the compensation of employees forced to stay at home."

"We will not add to the health crisis the fear of bankruptcy for entrepreneurs and the anxiety of unemployment for employees."

"Health is priceless, the government will take all necessary means" to stem the epidemic, "whatever the cost."

"What this pandemic reveals is that there are some goods and services that must not obey the laws of the market," he continued. "Delegate our food, our protection, our ability to care, our framework for life, is madness."


NB ; The minister of education also said that "We are also going to organize a "minimum nursery service", for the children of medical staff & volunteers, so that they can still go to their workplace."

[appalachiablue]

4. This, the way it should be. Thanks for posting.

[Evolve Dammit]

6. What a stark contrast to Murica.

[GoneOffShore]

5. Watched Macron deliver this speech.

I think it was one of the best things he's done.

And I really don't like him. He's a pretty boy and empty suit 95% of the time with no connection to people who aren't in his social class.

[appalachiablue]

8. Some of that I see as well, but Macron beats Marine Le Pen

by miles!

[GoneOffShore]

12. Let us hope he continues to do so.

[dalton99a]

9. He also talked about preparing for the second wave of the virus which will affect younger people

[appalachiablue]

10. Interesting, I didn't know that about the 2nd wave & the young.

[BigmanPigman]

11. Don't illnesses attack the weakest first then it goes after

other hosts that at first were sidestepped?