Display yourself as the general in the midst of his troops. This is the image that Emmanuel Macron wanted to send to the French by going to Mulhouse, one of the most virulent centers of the epidemic. A city walled in anguish. The Great East records a wave of more than 400 deaths and nearly 3,000 hospitalizations. But by moving once again, after visits to the Pasteur Institute or to a homeless center in Paris or even to the Avicenne hospital in Bobigny (Seine-Saint-Denis), the Head of State takes the risks blurring the confinement message, the famous "Stay at home". Not to mention the risks taken for his own health. " The head of state does not need a mask as long as he respects the protective distance from others ," recalled government spokesperson Sibeth N'Diaye, at the exit of the Council of ministers. Wearing a mask is not useful for the general population, when you are neither a caregiver nor a patient. There is therefore no reason why it should deviate from the prescriptions given to the whole population. "
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Nevertheless, this Wednesday afternoon, in the parking lot of the Mulhouse hospital where medical tents were erected to install the first "military resuscitation element", the Head of State wears an FFP2 mask. The most protective. A strong symbol that marks a new stage of dramatization in official communication.
Emmanuel Macron takes new precautions - without wearing the quasi-cosmonaut outfit recently adopted by Vladimir Poutine. The accompanying delegation is reduced to the maximum. No ministers with him. Barely a handful of advisers, including the private chief of staff, Admiral Rogel.
The situation is unprecedented, it's unheard of, the system is overwhelmed
An emergency doctor in Macron" The situation is unprecedented, it is unprecedented, the system is overwhelmed," said an emergency doctor to the president, during an exchange. “ The flow of patients in need of resuscitation is endless. We could fill a classic “sheave” every day, ”continues, frightened, another. Around the table, there are also managers of retirement homes and elected officials such as the president of the region, Jean Rottner, or Senator Jean-Marie Bockel. " I measure what you are experiencing as stress, as workload , launches the head of state. Before adding: " You have a lot of courage, thank you for fighting with strength and determination. The nation is behind you . ”
29,000 tests per day
So much for the fine words - " it is good for the morale of the troops, " said an emergency doctor, however. But the caregivers especially expect concrete help. Precisely, the president announces that there will now be 29,000 tests per day, in particular for caregivers and nursing homes. Noticeable acceleration. A psychological support number for doctors and nurses is set up.
Then, outside of the cameras, Emmanuel Macron visits the military medical center - he will not, however, have returned to the CHU. These tents are in support of the neighboring hospital. Its total capacity is 30 beds. On leaving, the president washes his hands with hydroalcoholic gel. Then, speak solemnly in front of a military tent, in a martial scenography.
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" I want to salute the memory of the caregivers who paid with their lives for their commitment," he begins . When you go to war, you mobilize entirely. ” And to call on the French to make a " block ". "I see the factors of division, the doubts" and "all those and those who would like to fracture the country", s laments it. But we must remain "united", "without giving in to division," he urges. Then, after underlining the selflessness of the caregivers, he promises a " massive investment and career enhancement plan " for the hospital, a " deep and lasting response".
At the same time, the Head of State announced the launch of an " Operation Resilience ", modeled on the model of " Operation Sentinel ", mobilizing the army. This new system will be " entirely devoted to aid and support to populations in the health, logistics and protection fields. In addition, two helicopter carriers will be deployed off the Antilles and in the Indian Ocean. A speech with the air of general mobilization: " Each citizen has a role has played ".
