Paris (AFP)

Emmanuel Macron "does not wish to discriminate" of the elderly or frail in the progressive deconfinement after May 11 and "will call for individual responsibility," said the Elysee on Friday evening.

The Head of State, explains the Élysée, wished to make this clarification by seeing "mounting the debate on the situation of our seniors, after the declarations of Pr Jean-François Delfraissy".

He said Wednesday in the Senate that "for people of a certain age, 65 or 70 years" and fragile people, "we will continue confinement".

"The head of state does not want discrimination between our fellow citizens after May 11," said the Elysee.

On Monday, April 13, he indicated that "for their protection, we will ask the most vulnerable, the elderly, those with severe disabilities, people with chronic diseases, to remain, even after May 11, confined, at least initially. "

But he did not specify whether this "request" would be mandatory, like the current confinement, or would only be advice.

Professor Delfraissy added on Wednesday by pleading for a continuation of confinement for all people at risk, that is to say 18 million people, including the elderly, those with long-term affections as well as "young subjects with pathology, but also obese. "

He explained that he did not know when these people could be deconfigured and that perhaps preventive treatment was needed first.

According to the latest report on Friday, at least 7,203 deaths linked to the pandemic in France were counted in the only accommodation establishment for dependent elderly people (Ehpad).

These comments had questioned whether or not this prolonged confinement was compulsory, its duration and the age which defines an "elderly person".

They also worried a lot in retirement homes and nursing homes. The president of the Association of Directors of the Service for the Elderly (AD-PA) Pascal Champvert thus estimated Friday that a prolonged confinement of the elderly after May 11, in Espada as at home, would not be "untenable".

"People will die of things other than the coronavirus: confinement, isolation and loneliness," said Champvert.

The Ethics Committee (CCNE) had already estimated at the beginning of April that reinforced confinement of the elderly should be temporary and leave them the possibility, even limited, of moving around.

At European level, the EU too wants the elderly and people with chronic illnesses to be protected "longer".

The president of the Commission Ursula von del Leyen had even judged that it was necessary "to limit as much as possible the contacts of the seniors" until the development of a vaccine, which she hopes "towards the end of the year" .

© 2020 AFP