Covid-19 requires, the 20,000 events usually organized throughout France in December for the Telethon will not be able to take place this year, the organizers said on Tuesday, who are counting on viewers and Internet users to push up the counter despite everything.
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Due to the epidemic, the 34th Telethon, on December 4 and 5, will be limited to its retransmission on France Télévisions channels and to challenges on the internet, without the voluntary demonstrations which symbolize this annual popular event, the group announced. television station and the AFM-Telethon association, during an online press conference.
But "
as every year, we will do everything to transform the counter into victories, and make the heart of solidarity beat intensely to support the fight of families and researchers
", hoped Nagui, who will co-present with Sophie Davant the 2020 edition. , sponsored by singer Matt Pokora.
"
The Covid is a context that touches us and hits us hard
," said Laurence Tiennot-Herment, president of AFM-Telethon, deploring a double penalty "
for the most fragile patients
", because "If
they catch the Covid, it is death assured
".
The coronavirus has slowed down the activity of laboratories and will impact collection, "
because the events that were to take place in the field will not take place, although they represent 40%
" of donations, or 30 million euros , she added.
Some cities will still organize operations compatible with sanitary conditions, and product sales systems for the benefit of the Telethon, "
click and collect
", will be offered.
Challenges will also be launched on social networks to relay calls for donations.