Five years after the appearance of the virus, the work denounces a series of deep flaws, particularly in the management of mask stocks and the lack of responsiveness from the authorities.
Revelations about masks
The two investigative journalists expose, in detail, how the state faced a shortage of masks, well before the pandemic. As early as 2018, reports alerted the French authorities to the insufficient stocks of FFP2 and surgical masks, both for the population and for caregivers. However, no measures have been taken to replenish these stocks, despite repeated warnings. The book also highlights the inability of successive governments, starting with that of Édouard Philippe, to take the necessary measures to anticipate a major health crisis.
At the start of the epidemic, the crucial role of masks was downplayed by political leaders like Sibeth Ndiaye, then government spokesperson. This attitude contrasted with the documents in their possession which clearly showed their importance in the fight against the virus. The authors reveal that, despite clear evidence, this information was ignored, creating chaos in the management of the crisis.
The role of pharmacists in mask management
This chaotic management had a direct impact on pharmacists, who found themselves on the front line distributing masks to the population. The lack of responsiveness of health authorities and the poor organization of the distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE), particularly masks, have put pharmacists in a difficult situation. Not only were they faced with a shortage of masks, but they also had to deal with disastrous bureaucratic management, without clear information on stock availability.
Shortcomings at all levels
The investigations carried out by the Court of Justice of the Republic (CJR) into the management of the crisis targeted several ministers, including Agnès Buzyn and Olivier Véran. Despite testimonies and reports of mistakes made, no minister has been indicted to date. The book also highlights how a lack of preparation, coupled with disastrous fiscal management and an underestimation of the health emergency, led to a shortage of masks and an unprecedented public health crisis. The French Public Health Agency, although responsible for managing this crisis, is singled out for its ineffectiveness in implementing the recommendations of existing reports, despite repeated alerts.
-The authors also show how the Minister of Health, Agnès Buzyn, tried to sound the alarm in vain, in particular by asking for the cancellation of the municipal elections scheduled for March 2020, when the virus was beginning to spread. She also exchanged SMS messages with Jérôme Salomon, the Director General of Health, in which she acknowledges her lack of knowledge of the challenges of the crisis and asks for information to better prepare to face the situation.
A health crisis exacerbated by political mismanagement
The survey reveals that political concerns, such as pension reform or the “yellow vest” demonstrations, took precedence over health alerts.
At the heart of the crisis, the lack of coordination between the different actors (ministries, health administrations, and local governments) has also amplified the shortage of masks and general confusion. This situation was exacerbated by an administrative culture of inaction, where reports and action plans to prevent a pandemic were ignored, even after the first signs of the epidemic were identified.
