In full controversy over the insufficiency of masks in France, Emmanuel Macron visits this Tuesday a factory which produces near Angers (Maine-et-Loire). Faced with the spreading disease and the swelling controversy, the president wants to "show the exceptional mobilization of our industry to meet the needs linked to the Covid-19 crisis," explained the Élysée Palace.
The Head of State goes in the morning to the mask factory of the SME Kolmi-Hopen, the largest of the four French producers. This FFP2 and surgical mask factory, located in Saint-Barthélémy-d'Anjou, is now running 24 hours a day to increase its production.
The increase in production in the four French mask companies will increase national production from 15 million to 40 million masks per month in April. However, the needs for nursing staff and nursing homes are estimated at 40 million per week.
A billion masks
To meet needs, France has ordered a billion masks and is organizing an "airlift" with China, the first shipment of 8.5 million masks arrived on Monday. A second delivery from China of 12 million masks is expected on Wednesday.
These efforts are not enough, for part of the political class. The patron of the National Rally, Marine Le Pen, accused the government Monday of lying about "absolutely everything" to the French.
Prime Minister Édouard Philippe must meet Thursday morning by videoconference with the presidents of political parties, heads of parliamentary groups and associations of elected officials, in order to take stock, announced Matignon on Monday.
