Coronavirus: what you need to know this Wednesday, May 20

Good evening,

Deconfinement, day 10. Today, Renault is suffering the consequences of the epidemic. The manufacturer is expected to announce a savings plan of 2 billion euros and close three industrial sites in France. Édouard Philippe received party representatives to discuss the second round of municipal elections with them . According to our survey, the French are less and less accepting the restrictions linked to the epidemic. Finally, the Figaro Sciences department explains to us what extracorporeal oxygenation is deployed on more than 300 patients in Île-de-France.

Good reading,

Roland Gauron, journalist at Le Figaro

1. Where is the epidemic at?

Since March 1, the epidemic has killed at least 28,132 people, according to the latest report released by the Directorate General of Health. In the past 24 hours, 110 new deaths have been recorded. In detail, the number of deaths in hospitals amounted to 17,812, 98 more than on Monday, and that in nursing homes and medico-social establishments, which had been “adjusted” downwards on Tuesday, amounted to 10.320 (+12).

Average change in the number of patients over a week Marie Coussin and Nicolas Mondon / Fig Data

The number of patients in intensive care, an important indicator of the pressure on the hospital system, continues its decline, with 1,794 serious cases in intensive care, 100 less in 24 hours. Since the start of the epidemic, a total of 17,607 people have been hospitalized in intensive care, for a total of 99,616 people who had to be hospitalized for Covid-19.

Read also: Follow the evolution of the epidemic, department by department

2. What happened today

Renault in turmoil. The manufacturer of the diamond will announce on May 29 a massive economy plan and the closure of three industrial sites in France. "Renault management is finalizing this set of measures, which is the subject of intensive discussions with the executive, from Bercy to the Élysée via Matignon," explains our journalist Bertille Bayard. The government will be "uncompromising," said Édouard Philippe before the Senate. But the manufacturer, already weakened before the pandemic, is playing its survival. Renault is not the only automobile player in bad shape. The future of many SMEs is threatened. The entire automotive industry is awaiting the public assistance plan. Also in Germany, a consensus is emerging to find an innovative aid program to revive a car market that has run out of fuel.

Read also: The government announces the distribution of “tourist vacation vouchers” for this summer

The municipal ones under discussion. Edouard Philippe received this evening in Matignon the representatives of political parties to listen to their proposals on the organization of municipal elections. In the opinion of Bernard Sananès, of the research and consultancy firm Elabe, "no political party has an interest in an endless ballot" . Elected officials of all stripes are worried about the election being shunned by voters. “Retired people represent a third of the electorate. Their fears could undermine the participation rate, while the first round had already been marked by a strong abstention, "said Tristan Quinault-Maupoil of the Political Service. Rachida Dati proposes to reinforce electronic voting or to install offices in retirement homes. France is far from alone in this case. All over the world, in the United States, in Russia or in Ethiopia, the pandemic should overturn an originally busy electoral year.

Many French people are tired of limitations and restrictions and ask the government to relax a little

French people who love freedom. After ten days of confinement, the French accept less and less the constraints linked to the epidemic. This is the result of an Odoxa-Dentsu Consulting survey for Le Figaro and Franceinfo. “We are witnessing the beginning of a trend reversal, comments Gaël Sliman, president of Odoxa. Many are fed up with the limitations and restrictions and are asking the government to relax the grip a bit. ” For their part, the seniors, although very cautious as the government has recommended them, do not despair of being able to travel beyond 100 kilometers to finally see their grandchildren again. "We are inundated with calls from grandparents who despair of not being able to go and help their children who live far away and struggle to reconcile childcare and return to work" , confirms to Le Figaro Armelle Le Bigot-Macaux, president of l 'School of European grandparents.

Read also: Is the opening of parks and gardens dangerous?

On the front of the Covid-19. Used as a last resort, this particularly cumbersome technique has been used on more than 300 patients in Île-de-France. Anne Prigent from the Sciences department explains how extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) works, which short-circuits the lungs. "The lung is put to almost complete rest: we can then reduce the ventilation pressure which will reduce the attack on the lung and allow it to heal" , summarizes Mercè Jourdain, professor at the Lille University Hospital. Damien Mascret was interested in a forthcoming French study on the profiles of diabetics most at risk with Covid-19. "Never diabetic people suffering from Covid-19 have been scrutinized more acutely than in the French study, called Coronado" , he explains.

If resuscitators can sometimes use extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, this requires heavy monitoring (here, a resuscitation patient at the Jacques Cartier hospital in Massy, ​​Essonne, April 26). Pascal Bachelet / BSIP via AFP

3. Read, taste, yawn ...

Yawn. Tiphaine Honnet from Madame Figaro explains why some of us feel tired since the deconfinement. Answers with a researcher in social psychology Christophe Haag and a chronobiologist Claire Leconte. According to the latter, explains the journalist, "when returning to work, like when we return from vacation, resynchronizing our biological clock takes time, two weeks on average, provided that we do not ignore the signs of fatigue every night (cold snap, rubbing of the eyes) and to keep the same hours of getting up and going to bed, including weekends ” .

Read also: After containment, do less to be more effective

Equip yourself. Journalist Judikael Hirel investigated whether, with deconfinement, the time for connected watches had struck. "The Covid-19 will have revealed trends that we already sensed, " explains Frédéric Saint-Étienne of Garmin France. We are witnessing a craze on the part of people hitherto little focused on sport. Novices have moved on to more intensive practice, notably due to the sessions offered on video. ” And to add: “For me, between having a watch that gives the correct time and another rich in tools and functionalities, the choice is quick. After quartz, the connected watch is the new watchmaking revolution ”

Camargue rice is like nothing else. It is a product that has a real personality, an exceptional taste typicity

Read. Thierry Clermont, from Figaro Littéraire , gives three reasons to link Feuilles d'herbe , by Walt Whitman. “ Published in 1855, Walt Whitman's first collection was like a thunderclap in the American sky. An explosion with a scent of scandal, which will grow over the years , "says our journalist. “The native of Long Island and future citizen of Brooklyn sings there sailors and outlaws, and other“ camerados ”, carpenters, masons,“ red aborigines ”and girls… He glorifies Mississippi, the Bowery, the “migrants continually disembarking”. ”

Read also: Passing through Lorraine, in the footsteps of Joan of Arc

Taste. Armand Arnal, the Michelin-starred chef at La Chassagnette in Arles, is the guest of our “La France à la carte” series. He presents us with a flagship product from his region: Camargue rice. “ I love its little roasted nutty flavor, slightly iodized. It looks like nothing else. It is a product that has a real personality, an exceptional taste typicity. And, in the region, it's essential support that immediately shows customers where you are, ”he says. The chef suggests that we cook it sautéed Thai style with spring vegetables and tofu.

4. Photo of the day

The Eiffel Tower seen through the mowed grass along the Trocadéro fountains this May 20 in Paris. ALAIN JOCARD / AFP

5. Deconfinement, instructions for use

The deconfinement does not mark the return to the life of before. It is done gradually and differentiated according to the red or green areas. Here are some rules to remember.

• The movements are allowed a limit of 100 km around the home. Beyond that, a certificate - available here - is required to justify a compelling, family or professional reason. The borders are closed until June 15.
• In public transport , the mask is compulsory and its absence liable to a fine of 135 euros. In Île-de-France, an employer certificate is required during peak hours. It can be downloaded here.
• The gatherings are limited to 10 people in the public space.
• Parks and gardens are once again open in green areas only . Forests, on the other hand, are accessible everywhere. The beaches are in principle closed unless the prefect decides otherwise.
• The practice of individual sport is again authorized outdoors, respecting the limit of 10 participants.
• Places of worship are open and religious ceremonies should be able to resume before the end of the month.

6. The reflexes to adopt

A few simple steps can limit the spread of the virus. Here they are :

• Wash your hands every hour.
• Cough or sneeze into the crease of his elbow.
• Use disposable tissues.
• Avoid kissing or shaking hands.
• Wear a mask when you are sick.
• Limit your movements as much as possible.

Covid-19 is spread by saliva through close contact with an infected person, especially when the person coughs or sneezes. The virus also remains viable for a few hours on different surfaces.

Read also: Coronavirus: highly contagious patients in the first days of infection

The disease manifests with several symptoms. In 9 out of 10 cases, this results in a fever below 39 ° C. According to the World Health Organization, this fever is most often accompanied by fatigue , signs of shortness of breath and a dry cough .

7. What to do in case of symptoms?

The most important thing now is to get tested. According to the recommendations of the Ministry of Health, you should, if you have symptoms, stay at home and contact your doctor who will order a test. While waiting for the result, you must isolate yourself, wear a mask and list the people you may have contaminated.

Read also: From the isolation test to the tracing of contact cases, the patient's journey from Covid

If the test is positive, the Primary Health Insurance Fund will contact those likely to be infected. You must then remain isolated for at least 8 days, taking care not to contaminate your loved ones. Watch your health. If you have a fever, take paracetamol. Possibly plan a follow-up teleconsultation with your doctor.

If you feel difficulty breathing , call 15.

If the test is negative, contact your doctor and follow their instructions.

See you tomorrow.