France’s Health Ministry told regional health agencies, and hospitals to enter ‘crisis organization’ on February 13, 2021. Reuters News Agency explains this is because the government fears a possible COVID surge involving highly contagious variants. This is not the first time there has been talk of French hospitals moving to crisis mode. These are echoes of what happened in March and November 2020, during previous surges.
The Goal is to Mobilize All Health Players
News channel Le Journal Du Dimanche emailed French health authorities and learned the move is a pre-emptive one. They explained it was an ‘anticipatory approach’ so the health system could prepare for a possible flare-up.
National infection numbers in France are sixth-highest by population, but stable. But the government is resisting a new lockdown, preferring to rely on a curfew instead. Arnaud Fontanet has a seat on the scientific council that advises the French government on COVID-19 policy. He told Europe 1 radio on February 13, 2021 he ‘feared the UK variant could account for the majority of cases in March’.
Broader Implications of French Hospitals Moving to Crisis Mode
The clue may lie in Reuters’ reference to ‘highly contagious variants’. There’s clear evidence of these spreading rapidly in their originating countries United Kingdom, and South Africa. This means current containment measures in other countries may need to ratchet up to compensate for a more virulent spread.
French hospitals may be moving to crisis mode, but that will do little to change behavior beyond their walls. French president Macron may choose to tighten the lockdown, but the people will still circulate to keep the economy going.
The French people really have two choices, as do the rest of us. Their first option could be to continue as before ‘and see what happens’ next. Perhaps their wiser one might be to take even better care of each other, and keep the new variety spread under control.
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