A few hours before Christmas, many French people flock to pharmacies to carry out an antigen test before meeting with family and friends. In Paris, several pharmacies were stormed. This is the case of the one located in Porte d’Orléans where some waited sometimes long minutes, this December 24, before being tested.
- On December 23, 1,440 cases of infection with the Omicron variant were recorded in France.
- In recent days, incidence rates have increased in several regions, particularly in Île-de-France and Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur.
In the dark, a dozen people, wrapped in their coats, calmly place themselves, one behind the other, in front of a small white tent, located next to the Porte d’Orléans pharmacy, in the 14th arrondissement of Paris. They moved, this December 24, to carry out an antigen test. “I’m getting tested this morning because I’m going back to see my family in Champagne-Ardenne tonight to celebrate Christmas. I would be surrounded by vulnerable people, including my grandparents, so I want to make sure that I don’t don’t have Covid-19”, says Louna, 22, her hand resting on the handle of her little blue suitcase.
The journalism student is not the only one to have made the trip. Like many French people, in recent days, Marie France, 80, has respected the recommendations issued by the Scientific Council for the end of the year celebrations. In an opinion published on December 13, the advisory body recalled that the most useful gesture, at a time when the number of cases of Covid-19 is increasing, was to get tested. “I received the three doses of the vaccine, but even in my case, one can be a carrier of the germ and be asymptomatic. I do not want to infect my loved ones this evening, so prevention is better than cure”, indicates the pensioner, removing her glasses covered with fog because of the mask.
Protecting loved ones and limiting the spread of Covid-19
Estelle joins the queue. “We made a deal with my family. We all have to have a negative test before tonight, otherwise we’re not getting together,” says the community manager, placing a large rectangular cardboard box at her feet. The 30-year-old explains that the Omicron variant, which is actively circulating in France, does not scare her. “I am doing a test to protect mine and avoid spreading the virus”, she continues.
Same story on the side of Victor, 21, who learned that some people around him have contracted the coronavirus in recent days. “It’s good to take steps to curb the circulation of the virus. For me, the best way to protect loved ones and not participate in the spread of Covid-19 is to get tested”, specifies the young brunette while tying his scarf.
Does the Omicron variant worry the French?
If Estelle and Victor are not worried about the fifth epidemic wave, Marie France and Louna, for their part, have fears about the Omicron variant. “It may be less virulent than the other variants but it is highly contagious. I’m old so I’m careful,” adds the octogenarian.
For the past few weeks, Louna has also been doubling her vigilance. “I feel a little in danger from the virus. I was reassured after the third wave because almost everyone was vaccinated. But there, with the new variant and the astronomical number of people infected in Paris, I am anxious”confides the student before entering the tent to carry out her test.
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