An unprecedented strike force to fight the Covid-19 pandemic has been deployed since Monday in Seine-et-Marne.
This is the group of anti-Covid mediators (Mlac).
This device created by the regional health agency (ARS) of Ile-de-France and the prefect of Seine-et-Marne allows antigen and PCR tests in places considered to be at risk, in particular at the Fontainebleau police station. where a dozen cases have been detected, it launches the tracing process with identified contact cases while also carrying out preventive actions by going out to meet the public in situation.
"It is a measure to slow down the hyperoperational Covid-19 epidemic on the ground in contact with the population, by helping the message to be better understood because it is explained by real people", enthuses Hélène. Marie, departmental delegate of the ARS in Seine-et-Marne.
"People tell us: Yes, yes, I know"
Concretely, this is a team of seven mediators (including four nursing assistants, two educators and a childcare assistant), supervised by a coordinating nurse, Sophie Maraschin.
This Wednesday morning, the team dressed in white launched into the aisles of the Gaillardon mall market in Melun.
" Hello sir !
I am giving you this newsletter to fight effectively against Covid.
Remember to wear the mask well, covering your nose well, otherwise it is useless.
Remember to wash your hands regularly, ”says the coordinator to a passer-by who wears the mask under his nose.
Melun, this Wednesday.
Henda and Sandra educate market traders, here Hatem, very receptive. / LP / Sophie Bordier
The message is known.
Many nod.
“People tell us: Yes, yes, I know.
But there would not be as much contamination if everyone respected the barrier gestures, ”notes Sophie Maraschin.
“The Chinese have been wearing the mask for years, against diseases, dust, etc.
»Reminds him Marc, a client of the market.
“You are disturbing us!
»Gets carried away by a market customer
Dialogue also begins between Hatem, a greengrocer, Henda and Sandra, two mediators.
“Frankly, sometimes the mask suffocates me.
But I keep it.
Customers too.
The municipal police are here all the time to ensure that barrier gestures are respected.
He admits that spending his time touching coins and bills to give change is questionable.
“Tickets don't wash off.
A doctor friend advised me not to use gloves.
So I run my hands every hour in the gel ”.
But nothing is won.
The refractories exist.
"Have you ever seen a mask stop a virus?"
An elderly man lashes out, his mask lowered under his chin, facing Henda and Sandra.
“You are disturbing us!
“, Launches a client outright to Céline, one of the mediators.
Screening of migrants
Under the responsibility of the South Ile-de-France Hospital Group (GHSIF) Melun-Sénart and supervised by the head doctor of Samu 77, the mediators were trained in screening at the emergency care teaching center (Cesu) of the hospital, and tracing by the Primary Health Insurance Fund (CPAM).
On Monday, at the Vaux-le-Pénil migrant reception center, they carried out a series of antigen tests for people who had arrived for more than two weeks and PCR tests for the others.
Results: zero positive cases in the former and pending results for the latter.
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Among the mediators, Henda is a real asset: she speaks Bambara and Soninké: “It allows me to speak with Malians, Mauritanians, Guineans, Senegalese, Ivorians… It is important to explain things to those who do not speak French.
»His colleague Sandra speaks perfect Portuguese.
80 Covid patients at Melun-Sénart hospital, including 25 in intensive care
"Their action is fundamental because the epidemic is galloping again", points out Dominique Peljak, director of the GHSIF, which has more than 80 hospitalized Covid patients including 29 in intensive care for twenty-four hours.
Melun, this Wednesday.
Sandra, Sophie and Henda (from left to right) walk through the covered market at Mail Gaillardon, considered a risky place.
/ LP / Sophie Bordier
When positive people have to submit to isolation, the mediators explain the tools available to support them: possible visit by a liberal nurse to their home, request for sick leave from the CPAM, mobilization of help for shopping. , etc.
To broaden the action of the Mlacs, the ARS and the prefecture encourage the National Education and local communities to create their own teams of mediators. As such, the city of Melun will launch next week with the troops of the Fidamuris insertion association and with the Association of the paralyzed of France.