They had come to flush out the Pokémon cards that are missing from their collection, but did nothing.
As a consolation, XL burgers, fries and sodas will do the trick.
Seated in the Halles district of Paris, a teenager's paradise for its fast-food restaurants and trendy stores, Lucas, Carmel, Ismaël and Raphaël, all 13 years old, are not pretending: no, they were not aware that As of Tuesday, they could claim, like the five million young people aged 12 to 17, to the anti-Covid vaccine.
But when asked if they would like to receive it, four affirmative fingers shoot upwards.
"I have no hesitation, it won't hurt me and it's always better than doing 50,000 tests in the nose," explains the pragmatic Ismaël.
"We will have access to more things, more quickly," adds Lucas.
The trips, the… ”“ The nightclubs ”, Raphaël cuts him, laughing, well aware that for him, it is not for now.
To read also "How far back do we have?"
: the vaccination of 12-17 year olds begins this Tuesday and is debated by parents
Doses in the arm, Carmel imagines himself "quieter", not so much for himself as for his relatives, to whom he fears transmitting the virus.
The schoolboy doesn't really want to relive the worry he felt when his grandfather had the disease, caught during a hospital stay.
"I don't like needles"
If the four friends bring up the subject with such ease, it is also because they have already spoken about it with their parents, themselves immune.
At Ananda, crossing a few streets further, the question does not arise, no one has received an injection.
So difficult for the young girl with a much more mature face than her 14 years old, to form an opinion.
"I don't know at all if I will go, I have no information.
"
Ira, will not go… such is the stake for the government which counts on this age group to boost a vaccination campaign which is running out of steam.
A not so obvious choice for parents who are responsible for it.
"For my daughter, it will not be immediately", warns Lucia, in full shopping with Eva, her youngest of 13 and a half years and Thomas, her eldest of 21. He is vaccinated.
“For Eva, it's different.
She does not have the same need to go out, travel, work ... If she catches the Covid, it will not be serious.
On the other hand, there is a lack of perspective on the vaccine for minors.
In this case, sorry, but I prefer to see what it gives in other teens.
"
"I am wary, because I am asthmatic, so if it tires me even more…" launches Eva.
LP / Delphine Goldsztejn
Large hazel eyes enhanced by her mask, the person nods.
“I don't like needles and I'm afraid of the diseases the vaccine could give.
I am wary, because I am asthmatic, so if it tires me even more… ”Mother and daughter agree to wait“ a little ”,“ why not until the arrival of the French vaccine ”.
"Only if it's useful for me"
In a sunny square, another group of four playful boys contemplate the sneakers they have just bought in limited edition… only to resell them immediately with the hope of a small margin.
“The vaccine, I do not yet have the use.
But if it is the case, that a trip looms, I will do it, explains Pierre-Zinédine, 17 years old.
Read alsoCovid-19: "Unthinkable to vaccinate a child who does not want it"
Strong in math, it is the high school student who begins to question us.
"How many French people vaccinated today?
About 30 million, whereas it takes at least 80% for collective immunity?
The account is not there!
If adults don't lead by example, why would I?
I will not go to assume in their place, but if it is useful for me ”, sums up the young man.
The utility, Otylia who shares a Greek salad with her friend Zoe, already sees it.
At 14, they are "more than fed up" with the mask, and distance lessons have left a bitter memory.
“Six hours in front of a screen is really hard.
Like 16 of the 31 students in their class, they have already had the virus.
"If the vaccine can make us avoid all that, the closure of classes, activities ..." The promise of a more normal life.
A life, their age.