It was a special program that RTBF was offering this Wednesday. Although the editorial staff decrypts this virus which changes our daily behavior a little more every day, many questions remain unanswered. We had sequenced our program in 7 chapters: the health, the major events public, schools, the job, the travels, thereeconomy and finally, a self-critical chapter on the role of the media.
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Among these chapters, a central theme: schools. Should we close them, like in Italy? The answer is clear: “By for the moment, we are not yet in the same situation“What about school trips planned in particular to risk areas?”Don’t hesitate about money, we’re talking about health. If there are risks, you must cancel“That said, she specifies,”I do not have the competence to prohibit schools from going on a trip“Who has this competence, then?”The Walloon Minister for Education could. But it’s premature “.
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In terms of health, many questions have been answered:
- Should elders be left in nursing homes? “Yes“, answer our experts. Nursing homes have clear hygiene instructions, in particular to control people who come in (visitors, etc.). Bringing them home and putting them in contact with children, for example, could expose them to the virus.
- Are there populations at risk? Yes, they answer. The most fragile must be careful. This is the case for newborns and pregnant women. They must take precautions during flu, this must also be the case, by extension with the Coronavirus.
- Is there a risk for animals? Only one case has been reported to date in a dog. “The tests are not convincing, there is no scientific data to establish a portage in animals“, answer our experts.
What about public events? Should we cancel some of them? For Dr. Marc Wathelet, doctor of science and specialist in human coronaviruses, this is obvious. “If we want to limit the spreads, we must interrupt Batibouw and cancel the book fair“What about public transportation?”It’s the same thing. It would be living in slow motion, but it is necessary“What does the federal health minister say?”We could, but we are only at the beginning of phase 2. For now, we are maintaining the book fair“.
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This week, alarming figures circulated in some media and on social networks. They come from an article of doctor Philippe Devos, intensivist at CHC Liège and president of Absym, the largest Belgian union of doctors. Here are these figures: “up to 850,000 people infected and 50,000 dead in Belgium“Terms that Philippe Devos wants to qualify on our set.
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Finally, let’s look at the world of work. Can an employee decide not to report for work, as a precaution? “No“answers mFather Hélène Djaoudi, aspecialist in labor law. “The worker must respect the labor rules. But he can talk about it with his employer and see to what extent he can choose telework. On the employer side, there are duties, such as ensuring the well-being and safety of workers. It involves taking preventive measures, while remaining proportionate“.
Good news to finish: we know a lot of medical equipment is in short supply. This is the case with disinfectant masks and gels. Maggie De Block announces that funds will be available to buy more from the medical community. “It’s not easy in current affairs, but the government must play its role“.
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