Paris (AFP)
The leader of the senators LR Bruno Retailleau criticized Friday the "chaotic communication" of the authorities on the use of protective masks of the coronavirus, "a case which will remain as the symbol of mismanagement" of the crisis in France according to him.
"It is perfectly chaotic. The famous theories of the government which claims that masks should not be generalized, it is only the alibi of an insufficiency, of the shortage of masks", he estimated on CNews.
"This mask business will remain in this crisis as a symbol of mismanagement (...) There is a contradiction from the start. Of course there is a shortage of masks, of course you have to wear masks to protect others and protect yourself, "continued the senator from Vendée.
"The French do not understand and they suspect that behind this cacophonic and chaotic communication, the government hides its helplessness and its unpreparedness," he concluded.
LREM MP and spokesperson Aurore Bergé defended, on the same channel, the government's strategy "to prioritize" in the face of what "has long been a global shortage" of masks in order to protect first "caregivers" and "gradually those who continue to work".
About the possible generalization of masks, she believes that "if the scientific council, if the WHO recommend this generalization then it will be necessary to generalize". "It is notably an option in the context of progressive deconfinement in order to be able to gradually return to normal and avoid there being a new risk of resumption of the epidemic," she argued.
According to an Odoxa poll released on Thursday, three out of four French people (76%) think that the government "hid the truth" from them about the masks because there were "not enough for the carers". On the contrary, 23% consider that it was "transparent" by saying what seemed fair to it according to the scientific elements at its disposal, according to this survey with Dentsu consulting for Le Figaro and France Info.
© 2020 AFP