"I chose to be vaccinated because the hospital emergency room put me on oxygen twice in March 2020. Then when I had a cold, in January 2021, it went down in the bronchi, I took two months to recover.
I am in contact with caregivers.
Nobody knows 100% where we are going but they reassured me and I am one of the people who have decided to trust.
"
Catherine, 53, an accountant in the medical community, is still weakened by the coronavirus that she caught a second time this summer, after a first contamination in March 2020. Since April 2021, she has been vaccinated.
Her voice is soft, but you can feel the effort represented by her speaking behind her mask.
Caregiver, Karine, 46, is wary of the vaccine.
She refuses any injection.
Reason for which it was suspended on September 17 by the management of the southern hospital center Seine-et-Marne, without salary or right to unemployment benefit.
Like around 1,400 caregivers in Île-de-France.
Karine: "This vaccine is still being tested"
“It's hard, but I don't regret it.
I must hold on.
I have been working in geriatrics for 26 years and at Nemours hospital for four years.
I caught the virus in May 2020 at the Covid unit.
I did not have the same consequences as you.
I didn't have a fever, so they didn't stop me.
Then, as I have been anemic since 2018, I broke down and the occupational medicine gave me six days of sick leave transformed into fourteen days by my doctor… After I said to myself, I have antibodies, the actions barrier will suffice.
And for me, this vaccine is still being tested.
"
Between the two women, who a priori a lot of ideas and points of view oppose and who nevertheless live a daily life still strongly impacted by the Covid-19 epidemic, the dialogue is established quickly.
And the familiarity does not take long to be in place.
For Karine, without income or right to unemployment benefits since she was suspended, "it's expensive when you have always worked without stopping for 26 years".
LP / Sophie Bordier
“Antibodies go away over time!
»Catherine asks him.
“At some point, you become vulnerable again.
That's why I got the vaccine.
I know that I am not protected forever after my first Covid in March 2020. I like to move, to live.
The Covid killed all of that.
"
She talks about concrete.
“When my son got married, I couldn't hug him because I was still positive.
After my relapse last August, I had five weeks of sick leave.
I have resumed my work but, when I come home, I don't do anything anymore.
I am on my couch.
I lost breath and five pounds too.
My intestinal system is disturbed.
I find it difficult to go up the slope ”, confides the one who has the impression of“ putting his life on hold ”.
Karine is listening.
Catherine: "The only person I infected was the one who was not vaccinated"
The fact that the Covid-19 caught up with Catherine despite her vaccine calls out to Karine.
“Injections do not prevent you from having it or passing it on!
»She launches, comforted in her convictions.
Catherine replied: “The vaccine does not protect 100%, but it protects.
At the campsite, this summer, when I was positive again, the only person I infected was the one who was not vaccinated!
And the Covid platform that calls me every day tells me: without your vaccine, you would be in the hospital!
"
Catherine recalls why she was vaccinated: "The antibodies go away over time."
LP / Sophie Bordier
In any case, Karine "digests very badly" his suspension.
“A layoff without registered mail, without an offer of reclassification and with a ban on working in the health sector, it is expensive paid as punishment when you have always worked without stopping for 26 years.
I loved my job, I even had priority on the call lists.
"
One thing in common: they find vaccination from the age of 12 "problematic"
She continues: “In 2020, we were made to work six days a week when the security conditions were not at the top. All this for 1600 euros net
(without bonuses)
. 75% of my colleagues, many of them on fixed-term contracts, were vaccinated because they had no choice. We are all bound by money, credits. It is a form of blackmail. If I were raising my two children on my own, chances are I would have already been vaccinated. But I am lucky that my companion is there. "
Catherine reacts: “I understand that this compulsory vaccination with suspension of income is violent.
We had never seen this before.
I admire people who follow their convictions like you, Karine.
But if I had been in your situation, I would have been more afraid of losing my job than of being vaccinated, ”she concedes.
Karine plans to file an appeal with the administrative court.
"But it's going to be the earthen pot against the iron pot," she blurted dubiously.
Catherine suggests that he apply for reclassification.
“You are in the public service.
You say that you are ready to go to work in an area where vaccination is not compulsory.
At least it's notified, registered.
"Karine smiles:" I'll try.
Thanks for the tip!
"
The two women agree on their mutual mistrust of the vaccination of children from the age of 12.
“Problematic because their body is not adult,” says Catherine.
“We don't have enough perspective,” agrees Karine.
The passing hour sees them more relaxed.
“I respect everyone's opinion.
But in all cases, we have to take responsibility for our choices and think of others, ”says Catherine.
“It's great to have been able to talk,” concludes Karine.