In response to the shortage of masks which is raging in the midst of the coronavirus epidemic, Olivier Véran announced on Saturday the distribution in the next 15 days of more than 250 million masks. Health professionals will be a priority, said the minister.
- The shortage of masks is causing a strong reaction from health professionals
- City doctors will be granted 18 masks per week
With the spread of the coronavirus, France is facing one of the most serious health crises in its history. On the front line in this fight against the virus, health professionals and hospital staff are bearing the full brunt of the consequences of the epidemic.
In recent weeks, the anger of caregivers has exploded, as evidenced by the many texts published in the media and on social networks: forums, rants, cries of distress, announcement of legal action… One of the main points of claim from healthcare personnel is the shortage of FFP2 masks, considered the most effective in protecting themselves from the virus while avoiding transmitting it.
Indeed, since the start of the epidemic, caregivers have had to be content with surgical masks which can limit the risks of transmitting the virus to others, but do not or very little protect the person who carries it. But in other cases, no mask is available and caregivers find themselves forced to work without any protection.
“Over 250 million masks”
In response to this untenable situation for caregivers, the Minister of Health Olivier Véran assured Saturday March 21 during a telephone press conference that an order for “more than 250 million” masks had been placed and that these devices should be distributed “within the next 15 days”.
“Priority to the protection of health professionals, who have to take care of Covid-19 patients in the city and in the hospital and we will also give priority to the protection of people who work with the elderly in nursing homes to preserve hospital capacities. “, promised the minister, mentioning the provision of 500,000 masks per day for professionals in this sector.
According to the minister, the government also plans to grant 18 masks per week for city doctors and pharmacists, 9 for people carrying out home care and assistance service activities and 6 for midwives.
How to explain the shortage of masks?
Olivier Véran also took advantage of this press point to shed light on the reasons explaining the current epidemic of masks in France. According to the Minister, this situation would be the result of a government decision taken almost ten years ago, to order one billion surgical masks and 600 million masks to FFP2 standards.
“When Covid-19 appeared, there was only a state stock of 117 million surgical masks for adults left and no strategic state stock of FFP2 masks,” explained Olivier Véran.
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