In the spotlight: prevent and reassure

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By: Frédéric Couteau Follow

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Prevent the spread of the coronavirus and reassure the French: this is the difficult equation posed by the government. In fact, points out Le Figaro , “  the executive is looking for the right mix. In this comeback marked by the persistence of the Covid-19 virus and the fear of a second wave, the government must on the one hand take binding measures to fight the epidemic and on the other encourage the French to resume a normal life, to avoid further crippling the economy.  "

For the government, it is a question of "  managing uncertainty  ", adds Le Monde . And “  in politics, risk management is one of the most perilous exercises : it forces managers to navigate on sight, at the risk of making the course difficult to read. Until recent days, the priority was for the economy to restart, for the French to regain confidence and support businesses by spending the approximately 100 billion euros in savings made during confinement. But this week it is, and rightly so, the call for vigilance and everyone's responsibility that takes precedence : wearing a mask and barrier gestures are more than ever necessary to contain the progression of the virus.  "

Back to school like any other… or not?

As for the start of the school year, Jean-Michel Blanquer promises "  a normal year  ". The Minister of Education details this morning in Le Parisien , "  the flagship measures of this new school year unlike any other, still upset by the uncertainties of the health crisis and the long-term effects of confinement, but also of the closure of schools on children.  "

So, "the  reading skills of the 6th grade students assessed, a" right "to academic support in college, new class divisions, children kept at school in the event of a restriction in reception capacity ...  "

For Jean-Michel Blanquer, “  the advantages of going to school are infinitely more important than the disadvantages. During the holidays, the children practiced a whole series of activities with much less sanitary rules than at school. It would be paradoxical, considers the minister, to be afraid only when it comes to studying. A child who does not go to school is serious.  "

In short, “  a return to school like any other  ”, exclaims Liberation for its part . “  This is the challenge launched by the Minister of National Education. (…) This communication strategy has the merit of being consistent with its conviction, now shared, points out the newspaper, that the risks linked to the virus for children are less than those which would be engendered by a new prolonged deprivation of school. Experience proves that the spring confinement has severely handicapped the students in greatest difficulty. (…) If this strategy of the Minister is understood, it involves the risk of any Coué method, notes Liberation . This risk is all the more important given that school, a priority vehicle for the future of children, carries its share of irrationality in the reaction of… adults. What parent has not one day been caught with his hand in the bag of his contradictions between his public convictions, even political, and his private reactions when it comes to his offspring  V ? It is in this delta, concludes the newspaper , that the Covid obviously expands, that the major risk of this re-entry lies. But that, Blanquer can not do much ...  "

Controversy over masks

At the same time, another battle is being waged: “  the battle of free masks  ”, to use the title of Courrier Picard .

The state has decided not to provide masks for schoolchildren. Suddenly, points out the newspaper, “ certain local authorities are getting  organized to distribute masks to middle school and high school students, like the Hauts-de-France region. Many elected officials deplore having to replace the state.  "

► To read also:  Masks, allowances: Jean-Michel Blanquer specifies the terms of a return to school unlike any other

No, retorts La Croix ... "  Why devote budgetary resources to " paying for masks to families who do not need them " , according to the just remark yesterday of the Prime Minister, Jean Castex ? Devices are pr e seen for é equip families in precarious situations. We must ensure, continues La Croix, that these devices work well. But don't go any further. Unfortunately, the newspaper laments , common sense is being undermined by short-sighted political calculations. Some local elected officials do not resist the temptation to seek quarrel with the government, including on the side of political families who were believed more unanimously attached to the personal responsibility of citizens. We thus see, La Croix point , right-wing regional presidents announce the free distribution of masks in high schools. Without consulting with the departments, which manage the colleges. And without, apparently, asking questions about the mess it will cause.  "

California is ablaze

Finally, we return to Liberation , with this four-page report on the fires that have devoured California for 15 days.

“  Since August 15, nearly 11,000 lightning strikes have struck California in less than 72 hours, triggering 367 fires, the situation has worsened day by day and more than 530,000 hectares have burned. The two major homes, southeast of San Francisco and north of the city, have become the second and third largest in the history of the state. This disaster occurs, Liberation point , when the fire season is only in its early stages, the peak is usually expected when the autumn winds arrive. It is mainly hitting California at a time when the state is particularly vulnerable, still plunged into the fight against the Covid-19 epidemic after a spectacular resumption of the increase in the number of cases from mid-June. While 625 fires are in progress and 240,000 people have been displaced by the fires, this pile of disasters is straining Californians, the newspaper sighs . They have already nicknamed August + the terrible month +, in a year 2020 which is no less.  "

► See also:  United States: California devastated by deadly fires

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