How to protect people with disabilities from the second wave?

Illustration by Sophie Cluzel, Secretary of State to the Prime Minister, in charge of disabled people.

-

• What follow-up?

  What access to care?

  What about work?

  This Friday, Sophie Cluzel clarified at a press conference the measures taken for this second confinement concerning people with disabilities.

• They may have exemptions, in particular for travel and wearing a mask.

• The watchword this time is to keep the establishments which receive disabled people open, unlike the first wave.

In April, we gave a voice to mothers of disabled children who were as exhausted as they were worried.

Because all the professionals who helped their children learn to walk, speak and express themselves had to interrupt their long-term work during confinement.

For a week and the return of confinement throughout France in the face of an impressive second wave of coronavirus, many must be relieved.

Relieved to see that this time, the government has chosen to keep the medico-social establishments and services open and home interventions possible.

On the occasion of the press conference of Sophie Cluzel, Secretary of State for Disability (who wears an inclusive mask) this Friday afternoon,

offers you a summary of what disabled people can do and how they are accompanied.

What remains open?

"All establishments and medico-social services (ESMS) for children and disabled adults remain open, this is the big difference with the first confinement", emphasizes Sophie Cluzel.

Day care centers and respite solutions for caregivers also.

"The dead end is that everything remains open, to avoid the loss of achievements that we could see during the first confinement," she insists.

The right to visit ESMS is maintained, but it is done by appointment, as in nursing homes.

Likewise, people accommodated in structures will be able to return home on weekends, if no proven case of Covid-19 is present in the establishment or in the family.

“We want to maintain this link with families,” she says.

In addition, medico-social professionals can continue to practice, in the ESMS or at home.

And the departmental homes for disabled people remain open.

Can people with disabilities work?

According to the press release dated last Friday, the work remains encouraged.

“Work-based assistance establishments and services (ESAT), as well as adapted enterprises (EA), remain open, unless they are affected by administrative closure rules, in particular for the catering sector.

The professional activity of people without risk factors is therefore maintained.

People who cannot work will continue to benefit from partial unemployment.

"

What are the exceptions?

In addition to cases where travel is authorized (work, medical appointment, assistance to a loved one, shopping), "exemptions for the travel of people with disabilities and their caregivers are provided", confirmed the secretary of state.

In addition, a new measure was taken on Friday: blind people do not need a travel certificate.

Others can of course download the certificates from handicap.gouv.fr.

On the question of the mask, which is not necessarily easy to wear for some disabled people, the question has also been decided: those who cannot wear the mask are exempt from it, provided they have a medical certificate, in particular for children at school, where for a week the mask is compulsory from 6 years old.

Finally, the last field for which these people can request an exemption: sport.

“All sports facilities are closed, but exemptions have been obtained to allow disabled people to carry out a sports activity,” explains Sophie Cluzel.

Important information for all those who need to work on their motor skills.

What access to care?

This question remains fundamental.

During the first wave, some professionals argued that they could not find a place for their disabled patient in the hospital.

"Disability cannot be a criterion for refusal of care, whether it is hospitalization or resuscitation," insists the Secretary of State.

A disability referent will be appointed within each CHU and in each Samu to assess the care of people with disabilities.

"Reflex sheets, developed with associations, to take into account the weaknesses of each, will be transmitted", she continues.

Finally, the presence of a caregiver alongside people to support them in their care will be possible, on an exceptional basis, and in respect of barrier gestures.

How many cases have been identified in the establishments?

The numbers are cause for concern.

During this press conference, the Secretary of State clarified that over the last seven days, 3,789 cases of Covid-19 and 18 deaths have been confirmed in the 11,000 establishments receiving people with disabilities.

"We have seen an increase in the number of cases in recent days," recognizes Sophie Cluzel.

To the point of taking new restrictive measures?

“We act on a case-by-case basis with a regular link with the regional health agencies (ARS), she replies.

If there is a major outbreak, we will react locally.

"

Health

Coronavirus: Parents of children with disabilities worried and exhausted

Society

Containment: All establishments for adults and children with disabilities remain open

• Handicap

• Government

• Confinement

• Coronavirus

• Covid 19

• epidemic

• Health