As a ritual, we applaud them every evening at 8 p.m. They hear our fervor. Aurélie, Félix, Mellaz, Alain, Djilali… and the others whose names we will never know while they keep us healthy every day - and for some, alive. In France, two million white coats are at the front to fight against the coronavirus epidemic, which has already killed at least 1,100 people in the country. Long before confinement, doctors, nurses, nursing assistants, young and not so young, were in working order, sometimes forgetting their rest and their meal.
"Our society can not do without them," recognized this Monday, March 23, Minister of Health Olivier Véran, saluting the courage and strength of health professionals. Then, of course, a time will come when the community will have to question itself. To wonder if she listened to them enough, these caregivers who, for a year, had been demonstrating and imploring more means, more beds, more staff.
But above all, it is time to thank the entire profession. A farmer from Charente dug into his land a huge “Thank you carers”. Citizens have launched prize pools. Even Jean-Jacques Goldman broke his legendary silence to dedicate a song to them. "They give us time, talent and heart", he intones to the tune of his famous melody "He changed life". And the President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, will go this Wednesday to the military field hospital of Mulhouse (Haut-Rhin) "to pay tribute to the medical staff".
Important moments for them, and for all of us. “In this surrealist period, altruism is a factor of resilience. Those who turn to others resist morally and psychologically better. There, we identified our heroes, they are the carers, ”observes the psychiatrist Michel Lejoyeux, also mobilized since the beginning of the crisis. Like his colleague Serge Hefez, who abounds: “Having these moments is essential. Each evening, by clapping at our windows, we connect with each other, first on the scale of a street, then of a city, a country and even the world. We are one body, collectively. "
Portraits of some of these discreet heroes in the fight against the epidemic.
"You can count on us, we will be there!"
Aurélie Caliber, resuscitation nurse at Pitié-Salpêtrière in Paris
She knew of the attacks. Those of Charlie Hebdo, then of Bataclan. Aurélie Caliber is experienced in war wounds. But this time, no sores, no scars. "The evil is inside," she said soberly. On the front line of the fight against Covid-19, this 27-year-old caregiver is positioned at the forefront: she works as a resuscitation nurse, at Pitié-Salpêtrière in Paris, one of the first hospitals in France to having welcomed infected people. It is through its close-knit team that patients in respiratory distress are taken care of. This Tuesday, there were 12, a number that continues to increase.
When we find her one evening, Aurélie has made up her big blue eyes to hide her dark circles. From the outset, she spoke quickly, still swollen with adrenaline after twelve hours spent at the bedside of the patients hardest hit by this virus, which she first believed, like many, that it would only generate "grippettes" " And then she sits down and takes a breath: “The days are complicated. Patients degrade very quickly. Faced with deaths, it is difficult to contain our tears. But there are also smiles because some are doing well. This too must be remembered. You will say, eh, that resuscitation does not mean death? She asks us. I promise!
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Every morning, at dawn, the young woman makes the trip from Val-de-Marne with this one idea in mind, to save lives. For the past two weeks, quit taking a break to go to the toilet only once in twelve hours on call and swallowing your lunch in the middle of the afternoon. Meals that have taken on a new flavor, however. For several days now, the "réa" has been receiving pizzas, tartiflettes and chocolate mousses for lunch and dinner, offered by local merchants.
As far back as she can remember, Aurélie has always wanted to be a nurse. Perhaps because as a child, she saw her grandmother helping her husband, one of the very first dialysis patients at home in France. "There were lots of medical supplies, we were playing with the compress packs, the pliers to clamp," she says. In 2015, she graduated and did not hesitate for a second: "I like technical care, learning every day, resuscitation was obvious to me. "
Five years later, she is still there - becoming the “old woman” of this trying service where the turnover is every two to three years. "You are questioning a super, super nurse there," said one of her colleagues in a wink when she left the hospital. But she too, normally assigned to surgical resuscitation, had to shake up her habits when faced with the coronavirus. "We trained on the job in the new protocols, in dressing and undressing very carefully so as not to commit any hygienic error," she insists. Put on protective glasses, gown, FFP2 mask and charlotte over his long blond hair ... while "drifting", that is his term, the newcomers - the "very babies" - who have come to reinforce a major health crisis.
“This disease destabilizes us all, including caregivers. A patient is barely older than me ... I am afraid for my loved ones, for my parents. So, in the evening, Aurélie confides her torments to her companion, then tries not to be "eaten" by the virus. "But it's not easy, because we too are confined when we leave the hospital!" We want to set an example by not going out at all ”. Finished the aquabike and the glass with friends to decompress.
VIDEO. More and more French people applaud caregivers every night
“We know that we are in a long distance race. We are well off at La Pitié, we have equipment. But I think of my colleagues who are not so lucky everywhere in France. When asked how much she earns, Aurélie hesitates, then lets go: between 1600 and 1800 euros depending on the month. Cheap paid for such a task. "Yes ... it leaves it in suspense, perhaps the coronavirus will allow an awareness on this issue."
In the meantime, she does not budge. “Being useful, contributing to the war makes me proud. And to add: "Even if you have to be exhausted, even if you have to come back, you can count on us." We will be there. Message heard. It is 8 pm and near Pitié, a concert of applause and cheers resounds in the air, like so many thanks for those who, inside, look after and save.
"I would like to help even more"
Dr Djilali Saïche, general practitioner in Strasbourg
Every day, dozens of patients see on their screen the square glasses and the friendly face of Dr Djilali Saïche. Fortunately, this forty-something man had initiated teleconsultation several months ago. Otherwise, he recognizes it, he would be "lost". If his computer has become his best ally, this general practitioner based in Strasbourg (Bas-Rhin), in eastern France, one of the main centers of the Covid-19 epidemic in France, continues his consultations at the office, just like home visits to his most fragile patients.
"I can't abandon them, they need their doctor. But I protect myself as much as possible, not for myself, but for them! Keeping your humanity is essential, ”he says in a low and calm voice. This humanist has already been on deck for several weeks. The epidemic hit the Grand-Est long before the rest of France, after the religious gathering held in Mulhouse (Haut-Rhin) in mid-February. He therefore knew medicine during the coronavirus era before and after the national containment decision.
“At the start, I saw dozens of patients, often young, between 30 and 50 years old, with flu-like and brutal symptoms every day in the office. There was no mask. Clearly, for fifteen days, I worked without protection. I put myself in danger, ”he simply points out. Then came the time for government announcements and… a box of 30 masks that he used drop by drop so as not to “waste”. "
“Overnight, we had to totally change our habits, the way we work. Fortunately, doctors have the ability to cope, without procrastinating, with what is not programmed. Dr. Saïche, despite twelve hours of counter work per day, would like to do even more. “I watch my colleagues in the hospital and I would like to help them, more and more. We do a lot, but with the feeling that it is not enough. I sometimes go around in circles. This profession has been pegged to the body. "
VIDEO. A nurse in Mulhouse: "It's a horrible situation, we have to sort out the patients"
This Monday, March 23, the doctor concedes having received several blows on morale. One of his close infected patients died. Then several doctors. “They did their work with dedication. I just hope they weren't forced to do it unprotected, he breathes. This virus puts us all in the same boat. No matter his place in society, it concerns everyone… ”
"It's a war that is fought from morning to night"
Mellaz Sebaa, nursing assistant in a retirement home in Lyon
“The first treatment is a smile. Mellaz Sebaa never forgets it. So, in the midst of a coronavirus epidemic, this almost 60-year-old caregiver redoubled her attention to pamper her elderly. Caring for them is their vocation. “I accompanied my mother until the last breath. What I did for her, I want to do for others. I am made for that. "
Every morning, at the Part-Dieu retirement home in Lyon (Rhône), she cheerfully wakes up residents with a hello. Visits to loved ones are prohibited, it is necessary to fill the gap. “I keep asking them: Are you all right? Do you need something? ” Slips Mellaz. Even if they are confined, the doors of the rooms remain wide open, they should not feel alone. "
With her colleagues, she continues the entertainment. Varnish workshop, music, brushing. The caregiver likes to style Madame A, checks, every day, that Paulette has a phone before 3 p.m. so that her brother calls her, brings a tablet to a lonely resident so that he can see his family. It is also necessary to disinfect, all the time, the door handles, the armchairs and bars of bed. An exhausting work overload. "We must never show them a stressed face otherwise they take our anxiety," insists Mellaz. If we need to breathe, we get some fresh air. "
What made him stand? "Tell me I have to protect them." It is a war that is fought from morning to night to prevent the virus from entering. It has not passed and I am very proud of it. Retired people cheer him up. "Yesterday a lady said to me: Oh, they piss us off with their coronavirus . A moment of laughter. “They also thank us for protecting them and add: Think of you! Mellaz did not expect this. “Their words give me strength. "
"Being on the forehead in a serious moment"
Félix Laborie, medical extern, volunteer in the infectious diseases department of Bichat hospital in Paris
“We really seem to be able to help, and to be less observant. It's a pleasant and exciting feeling compared to our daily life ”. Since Thursday, March 19, the life of Félix Laborie's fifth year medical student has taken a turn that this 23-year-old young man did not imagine a few months ago. Volunteer in the infectious diseases department of the Bichat-Claude-Bernard hospital in Paris, this extern joined these tens of thousands of French caregivers on the front line in the face of the Covid-19 epidemic.
"We are twenty students in this service to have answered the call of the vice-dean of the faculty of Paris-VII, says Félix, who did not hesitate a second. When I said yes, it was like a mixture of excitement and stress at the idea of participating in this effort and being on the forehead in a serious and important moment. "
In Bichat, a hospital located in the 18th arrondissement in the north of the capital, the 60 beds of the infectious diseases department are all occupied by patients affected by the coronavirus. And management is opening new places of reception in pneumology and geriatrics. Félix Laborie is helping the interns of Professor Yazdan Yazdanpanah's infectious and tropical diseases department. "As soon as a patient from the Covid-19 leaves the service, he is replaced the same day or the following night," says the external. Our role is to apply the care protocols with patients who often need respiratory assistance. "
Very recently, the student found himself confronted with the lack of means from which the public hospital suffers. "Masks are okay, it lasts four hours a day. We are encouraged to limit ourselves to two a day, explains Félix. On the other hand, until then we had overcoats that we wore on our pajamas, but there are almost none left. We wear aprons instead. "
With his planning in his pocket for the next three weeks, the young man does not yet know what his near future will be like. Even if he imagines that his mission is likely to last. Does he have fears when he sees first aid workers succumb to the pandemic? "Obviously, it's always a bit special to be confronted with patients who may be suffering from serious illnesses," he says. But I don't really have any fears for me, it's more my family that I have to reassure. "
“My real concern is about transmission. At the hospital, you always have the impression that the virus is ambient, says Félix. This is why I was not confined with my mother with whom I live the rest of the time. And that's the reason why I go out very little to go shopping. "
"Despite the risks, there is zero absenteeism"
Alain Hababou, pharmacist in Paris
When asked how he is, Alain Hababou, his tired face behind his surgical mask, breathes. And cowardly: "We live a little roller coaster". In his large dispensary in the Montorgueil district, in Paris (2nd arrondissement), this 59-year-old pharmacist, more than half of whom is behind his counter, stands as far away as possible, his back pressed against the armchair of his cramped office, at basement. Hydroalcoholic gel on the table, "tac, tac", this gesture is done more than 20 times a day.
Think about everything, all the time, to protect himself and especially protect his 13 employees, Alain thinks only of that. Despite all these safeguards, a colleague fell ill, suspected of having been affected by the coronavirus. "My team was worried, they are worried," he corrects himself, counting the days. We are in 12th grade, no one else has had any symptoms. Everyone is well ". For the moment, no contamination in sight. A chance.
"Some of my colleagues have 20 to 30% of sick staff," says Alain Hababou who is also president of the Aprium group, which brings together 350 pharmacies in France. Behind their counter, these white coats are the first soldiers of this health war. From the gold rush two weeks ago, where everyone was looking for masks and hydroalcoholic gel, until the shortage, forcing them to work four days without protection. They are at the front of a cruel epidemic, going from the "grippette" to the intensive care unit. It's the lottery.
"We take a lot of risks," said Alain. Every day, ten Covid-19 patients enter and leave the pharmacy. “A sentence always comes up. They tell us, I hope it's not going to get worse, ”fearing that their mild symptoms will suddenly get worse the second week. So the professional is comforting. "It is our role. We reassure them, telling them that in most cases it is benign. ”
But the pharmacist is not quiet either. “What is more difficult is to say that we can endanger our loved ones. I am afraid for my family ”. So he rented an apartment above the dispensary, agreeing not to see his wife and children during confinement, who live 500 m away. At the workplace, the counters at the back are now protected by Plexiglas. "A person goes out, a person enters," we read on a poster at the entrance.
Naturally optimistic, Alain first retained "the extraordinary surge of solidarity in his team". He repeats, “there is zero absenteeism. When it is necessary to keep the children, each takes turns, exchanges hours. I can't stop thanking them. ” From time to time, he has them deliver Italian meals from the restaurant opposite. His eldest daughter, who lives in the building where he put his luggage and is a "real cordon bleu", prepares them "good little dishes". A way to show them his immense gratitude.
We interrupt him. "Excuse me, a doctor asks for masks, we don't have any, she's not happy," says a preparer. Alain sighs. It became his daily life. Faced with the missing stocks, he does not look for the culprit: "We are in the reaction, not in the action, but I do not judge the government, I would not like to be in their place". Did he think that one day he would have to face such an epidemic? He nods. “At the time of the H1N1 flu, ten years ago, I had read that virologists said that one day it would happen. And it happened ”.