The scientific council responsible for advising the executive on the management of the coronavirus epidemic released two opinions on Saturday on the progressive deconfinement to come. One of them contains drastic recommendations for the start of the school year scheduled for May 11, to which he was opposed.
On the management of hospital services
Scientists agree that deconfinement can only be started if resuscitation and hospitalization services have been “relieved”, healthcare teams “rested”, and stocks of materials, treatments and equipment "reconstituted" protective gear.
"It will be necessary to ensure that the teams of hospital and non-hospital carers have benefited from a sufficient recovery period to overcome the considerable effort provided during the past weeks," adds the document.
On the screening policy
The council also insists on the need to have the means to diagnose new cases through "reliable and accessible tests throughout the country, after a medical prescription. "
“Dedicated places for rapid diagnosis” of suspected cases, with “rapid transmission of results” of tests to individuals, their doctors and surveillance systems for monitoring the epidemic must also have been set up.
On wearing a mask
In addition to the case of schools (see below), scientists see the wearing of masks as a “prerequisite for leaving containment”. They recommend that "the whole population" have access to "alternative masks of industrial or craft production", distributed in priority to people, while indicating the absence of "solid data" on the effectiveness of these masks.
FFP2 and surgical masks must also be available and accessible for caregivers and people at risk of contamination.
On the reopening of schools
In the first opinion, the scientific council "proposes to keep nurseries, schools, colleges, high schools and universities closed until September".
In the second opinion, given to the executive a few days later but published at the same time this Saturday, it takes note of the political decision to prudently and gradually reopen schools, taking into account “health but also societal issues and economical. "
On the measures to be taken at school
For middle and high school students, "the wearing of masks must be compulsory", indicates the document, estimating on the other hand the wearing of masks "impossible" in kindergarten.
The Council also recommends a strategy aimed at reducing "the mixing of students", to avoid "the closure of an entire establishment in the event of the discovery of a positive case".
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Schools should ensure that students in one class do not meet students in another class or that students in the same level do not meet students in another level. And "if possible", that they all have lunch in class, at their table.
Whether or not to come to class
Social distancing rules should be adopted throughout the establishment. If space is insufficient, schools “will have to think before opening at the rate at which they can welcome children in good sanitary conditions (every other day, every other week, in the morning vs. in the afternoon…) "
The Scientific Council is also "favorable" that "the principle of volunteering and non-obligation on the part of families is retained, with the possibility of continuing distance education".
On the reopening of shops, museums, etc.
For the next two months, scientists are advocating a “prudent and gradual opening of shops”, with respect for strict health rules.
Coronavirus: the reopening date of cafes and restaurants will be decided "end of May"
On the other hand, the Scientific Council considers it necessary to keep closed or prohibited "all places and events which have the object or consequence of bringing together large numbers of the public", whether these be closed rooms or open air places.
On the confinement of seniors
People over 65 presenting "a very high individual risk of developing serious forms", the scientific council "advises" these people to respect a "strict and voluntary" confinement.
“Unlike compulsory confinement, voluntary confinement does not aim to curb the epidemic; it allows people to protect themselves on the basis of a personal informed choice ”, put forward the scientists.
PODCAST. Old age, dependence and confinement
In the Ehpad, on the other hand, the pursuit of an "arranged" confinement is "necessary", they consider, while pushing the establishments to find "urgently" means of social connection between the residents and their families (visit visual, screenings before a physical visit, etc.).
On trips
The scientists propose "to authorize urban and peri-urban movements as long as the barrier measures and the rules concerning social distancing are respected". Maintaining telework remains however recommended for administrations and companies when possible.
Likewise, the Scientific Council advises to use “staggered working hours” for employees in order to avoid saturation of public transport during peak hours.
The Scientific Council also calls "the attention of the authorities" to the specific issue of public transport and public transport. "Failure to respect the rules of physical distance of one meter on each side, whether users wear a protective mask or not, constitutes an important vector for the transmission of the virus," he recalls.
