The scene left more than one responsible for the majority speechless. On this Monday morning, some 300 people crowd the IHU Mediterranean Infection of Professor Didier Raoult, in Marseille (Bouches-du-Rhône). A motley crowd came here to look for what the government does not offer. "It's like the false prophets ..." grumbles a friend of the executive. Braving the instructions of the authorities, the restless doctor-biologist opened its doors, offering tests, for the moment reserved for caregivers and frail people, as well as its treatment, chloroquine, still subject to clinical trials. "What about respecting the rules of containment?" Laughs (yellow) a ministerial adviser.
This infectious disease specialist, "microbe fisherman" - he has a collection of 3000 bacteria and viruses - with a new age look, plunges the executive into embarrassment. “It has become the pasionaria of certain members of the opposition who are ready to rally to any solution. It's: I see the light and fuck the scientific rigor! Those who call for caution appear to want to prevent him from finding the solution, "says, disappointed, a government adviser. Another: “It's like Christian Estrosi who talks about the feeling of being healed! That's crazy. Raoult, in the eyes of the people, is the Jesus Christ of the 21st century. If you corner him , you are trying to silence him. "
Olivier Véran exchanges directly with him
Macronists in the first circle, who are annoyed at seeing him in all the media, have found him a nickname: "the madman." Consultant in crisis management, Alain Bauer compares him to Dr. Semmelweis, "this Hungarian predecessor unknown to Pasteur, who had vainly sought to impose handwashing at the Vienna hospital in 1846" in the delivery rooms .
"As too often, the Diafoirus (Editor's note: named after two doctors in the play" Le Malade imaginaire "by Molière, Mr. Diafoirus and his son Thomas) of the time despised him and silenced him". Behind the scenes of power, there are few who defend it. Like this regular at the Elysée Palace: "If he had short hair, small rimmed glasses and a tie, he would not have been the subject of this ostracism. They should have tested his treatment earlier, instead of pinching their noses like Parisian snobs! "
“Cornered”, Didier Raoult is not however. He is a regular member of the Scientific Council created on the Covid-19 to enlighten the president. And the Minister of Health, Olivier Véran, who launched clinical trials on his treatment, spoke directly with him. "He is a controversial scientist (Editor's note: he notably expressed doubts about global warming) , who explained to us a few weeks ago that we were crazy about getting excited about the coronavirus, but he is also recognized as an absolutely brilliant researcher, ”sums up a minister. Matignon assures him, "we obviously take his studies seriously".
"Only science should guide us"
Only, one remembers rue de Varenne, "there are rules to ensure the health and safety of the French and it goes without saying that the health authorities must respect these protocols". The trial verdict is expected within two to three weeks. Until then, the government does not intend to let go. "Imagine if we have 2000 to 3000 dead because this drug is not supported? There is a clinical protocol to respect, ”insists a relative of the head of state.
All the more, reminds the entourage of Olivier Véran, that in the event of a problem, "it is to the Minister that we will turn and say: You have authorized the treatment ... " "Perhaps Raoult is right , and that would be great, but we have to wait until we are in scientific capacity to prove it. Until there are results, do not do anything because you are stressed or worried. Only science should guide us, ”says LREM MP Thomas Mesnier, who has put on his white smock as an emergency physician during the crisis.
In the meantime, Professor Raoult is clearly mounting the media pressure. In doing so, he puts the government, already accused of not having sufficiently anticipated the crisis, in an even more delicate position. A ministerial adviser agrees, "the danger is that people imagine that the state is retaining the magic potion". In the government, where three ministers contracted the Covid-19, no one would have benefited. The Secretary of State for Ecology, Brune Poirson, thus had the sole treatment of rest and paracetamol. For another counselor, the real question lies elsewhere: "The subject is how many doctors will imitate him and use chloroquine without waiting?" "
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VIDEO. Coronavirus: the Minister of Health defends himself on the lack of masks
