Towards a government about-face regarding the wearing of health masks in France? Saturday April 4, the Minister of Health, Olivier Véran, confirmed that France was continuing its efforts to stock up on masks. Its orders from manufacturers in China now reach nearly two billion copies.

"On the masks that we ordered in China, we must be close to two billion, and we continue to place orders," assured the minister in an interview with the online media Brut.

"The orders for masks that we have placed are much more important than what we receive" and are subject to "world competition", he stressed, recalling France's efforts to, at the same time, boost its production. national protective masks.

Wednesday, Olivier Véran had assured that France had ordered "more than a billion and a half of masks in France and abroad", during a hearing in videoconference by the very new mission of information of the National Assembly on government management of the crisis.

Towards a recommendation to wear a mask?

The Minister was also questioned on the evolution of the recommendations of the health authorities, who now advise the population to wear "alternative masks" in fabrics, while those for medical use must remain reserved for those who need it most. , starting with healthcare professionals and patients.

According to him, the epidemic of coronavirus will lead to a change in "health behaviors" in France and in other countries, where the wearing of masks by the general public was until now not widespread, and sometimes unwelcome, unlike to some Asian countries.

A position that has changed a lot compared to that of March 19. During questions to the government, Olivier Véran had in particular affirmed: "Those and those who are not recommended to use masks, should not wear them."

"We must be able to produce masks for people who are not caregivers, who are second-line people, who will be in contact with the public, or even tomorrow to offer everyone to wear protection ... We are discussing this with the scientific council, virology experts, health agencies, we are asking them to reassess the doctrine, "now explains the Minister of Health.

"It is constantly evolving," he said.

With AFP

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