May we all come together in solidarity. We can. We must. And we will.
There have been many things I've wanted to talk about in the past several weeks regarding COVID-19, aka coronavirus. Many of my thoughts have been echoed by others, or the right advice and perspective were repeated far and wide. But something I saw tonight was a bit different, and it really moved me. It was a speech by French Prime Minister Emmanuel Macron.
This is an unprecedented time in the lives of every single one of us, save for the few alive during the Spanish Flu of 1918. The other recent pandemics and virus scares killed many people, but nowhere near the scale of what COVID-19 is poised to do if we don't band together and fight.
French President Emmanuel Macron's 20-minute address on 16 March 2020 (Twitter Link) to the people of France was incredibly powerful. His words are as relevant and inspiring for Americans, or citizens of any nation on Earth, as they are for the French.
I've not found an official English translation, or an English transcript from a news organization, but a Twitter account I follow has provided what appears to be an accurate and fairly precise translation. Here's a transcript in French
The commentary from Eric Garland, the person who tweeted the English translation, also is very compelling. His Twitter thread is here, and I've also assembled the full translated text of Macron's speech below.
At the end of the day, I don't care what you believe about COVID-19. All I care is what you DO about it. (Maybe I do care about what you believe, to the extent that you need to believe enough about the danger to humanity to convince yourself to take action, to sacrifice, to do your part.)
My parents are old enough to be at considerable risk of death if they contract this virus. One of my cousins is of similar age as me and has been valiantly and successfully battling cancer for several years. She likely will die if she contracts this virus. Looking at these words as I re-read this post, I am shaking. I cannot imagine my parents or my cousin being taken by this disease. And yet, it is a very real possibility.
All of us know people who very likely will die if they are infected with this virus. We simply must make the sacrifices necessary to do everything we can to save the lives of our fellow human beings.
Many of us - including leaders and prominent voices among us - denied or ignored the magnitude of the threat as it grew both outside and inside our borders. Many of those have slowly come around to the stark reality. Now we need to convince everyone else, because we can succeed only if everyone is all in.
We need to change what we view as acceptable social norms NOW. And we need to do it immediately. Do not be embarrassed to tell someone who wants to shake hands that you really aren't comfortable or that it isn't safe. Don't snicker at someone who wears gloves while shopping at the grocery store. Don't laugh at someone who uses a towel or napkin to avoid holding onto the gas pump with their bare hand. Those are things ALL of us SHOULD be doing.
Rather than attempt to weave an eloquent essay about Macron's speech, I'm just going to highlight some of the key points so the gravity of this moment is not lost among my own inadequate words.
Perhaps for some of you, COVID-19 is a far away idea. It has become an immediate, pressing reality.
The gov’t has taken bold, firm action to stop the spread of the virus. Daycares, schools, high schools, and universities have been closed since last Thursday. As of Saturday, bars, restaurant, shops also closed up.
Events with more than 100 people have been forbidden. France has never had to take such radical, however temporary steps during peace time.
These actions were taken in an orderly fashion on the basis of science with one sole objective: to protect us from the spread of the virus.
Thursday last, we had a consensus around keeping the first round of the Municipal Elections.
Sunday, we were able to vote. I want to thank the State, the mayors, all those who managed polling places. I’d like to also thank the French people for following the rules while voting.
I’ve seen people in France going around cafés and parks like nothing has changed - you are not protecting the rest of us. Even if you have no symptoms, you can still transmit the virus to your friends, parents, grandparents, the health of people dear to you.
We are getting to a point where our health system is breaking down, where the pressure is on healthcare workers. All of our energy needs to be on slowing the progression of the virus.
Follow(ing) the rules of prevention is the only way to take pressure off the healthcare system. Don’t call the ambulance except in case of emergency. Don’t go to the ER except in case of very high fever and respiratory distress.
Leaving the house must be for very limited purposes:
-Shopping for food, keeping one meter of distance with other people
-Healthcare visits
-Work, if work from home is impossible
-Taking a walk for exercise, but not to meet friends.
All companies must make allowance so the maximum number of workers can do so from home. Any breaking of these rules will mean sanctions.
I say to you very solemnly tonight, let us listen to our healthcare workers: if you want to help them, STAY HOME.
Yes we have new rules, but I want you as citizens to apply them to yourselves as a measure of your responsibility and your solidarity with your fellow citizens.
Having consulted the president of the Senate, the Chamber of Deputies, as well as my predecessors, I decided to postpone the second round of Municipal Elections. The PM has informed the party heads in the legislature. Everyone is unanimous.
My dear fellow citizens, I am taking account of the impact of these decisions on your life. This is all heart breaking. But we can hold the line. We can work with our neighbors, create new solidarity between the generations, to innovate what we need for this moment.
I ask you to stay in your homes and remain calm. I’ve seen instances of panic in all sorts of ways. You need to watch out for disinformation. Keep people in your house informed, read, focus on what counts. I think that’s what matters in this moment.
A proper sense of this moment is important, so avoid panic, fake news, fake experts. We’ve got clear, transparent information for you, and we will keep giving it to you.
I know that this new effort of which I ask you is unexpected, but the circumstances demand it of us.
WE ARE AT WAR. A health war, of course - we are not fighting an army or another nation - but the enemy is there, it’s advancing, and we need to mobilize.
We are at war and the entire activity of the government and parliament needs to be toward fighting this pandemic. Nothing can distract from this mission. All government reform initiatives will be suspended, starting with retirement reform.
Starting Wednesday, there will be a law proposed to give the government emergency powers, when necessary, to legislate via executive order in the areas relating to the management of this crisis. The law will go to Parliament on Thursday.
WE ARE AT WAR. I ask all stakeholders - political, economic, social, ALL FRENCH PEOPLE to come together in national unity - the kind that has allowed our country to overcome so many crises in the past.
WE ARE AT WAR. This nation will care for its children - healthcare workers - in cities, in hospitals - those on the front line of combat that demands all of their their energy, determination, and solidarity.
Those healthcare workers have the right to ask things of us. We owe them the means to do their work, the protection to do it - and we will be there. We owe them masks, sanitizing gel, all the equipment needed, and we will watch over them.
The government has decided along with scientists to reserve masks for hospitals in the city and the countryside. Masks will be delivered tomorrow night to the 25 departments with the most cases of COVID-19, Wednesday for the rest of the country.
We also owe healthcare workers daycare for their children, and a daycare service will be set up at daycares and schools. We owe them peace of mind for while they work, and rest when they need a break. TAXIS AND HOTELS CAN BE USED TO HELP THEM. THE STATE WILL PAY THE WHOLE BILL.
WE ARE AT WAR, YES. This country will support the most affected areas just as it will those affected tomorrow. I want to assure the residents and healthcare workers of the East that we will support them through the influx of patients and the overload of the hospital system.
I know what they’ve been going through; we will be there for them. I’ve decided to order a field hospital from the French Army Health Service to be set up in Alsace. The Army will deploy its resources to transport the most ill patients and reduce the congestion in hospitals.
To contain the virus and preserve our health systems, Europeans made a common decision: starting tomorrow at noon, all border entries to the Schengen area of the European Union will be closed. All travel between non-EU countries and the EU will be suspended for 30 days.
French citizens currently abroad who want to return can of course come back home.
We made this decision because I am asking significant sacrifices of us all and we must protect ourselves for the duration.
I want to let all French citizens living abroad know that, even there, they should make contact with consulates and embassies, and that we are arranging their repatriation.
You know it, you see it coming - this unprecedented health crisis will have major consequences: human social, and economic.
This is the challenge before us. I am asking sacrifices of you to slow down this pandemic.
We must never doubt helping the most fragile, sustaining our companies, supporting salaried and independent workers.
For those most in need, destitute, and isolated, we will work with non-profits and local governments so they can be fed, protected, that the services we owe them are delivered.
As far as our economy, *no French company* - *no matter its size* - will risk going out of business.
*No French citizen will be left without support.*
For companies, we are taking extraordinary measures to help with taxes, social security, bankruptcy, and 300 billion euros in government-guaranteed loans available from banks. For the smallest companies, they will bear *no financial burdens* - neither taxes nor social security.
Gas bills, electrical bills, and RENT bills are hereby suspended.
So no French citizen will be left without resources, as I announced last week, partial unemployment benefits will be massively expanded.
For small business owners, shopkeepers, tradesmen - a solidarity fund will be created, financed by the State, and to which regional governments will also contribute.
Starting tomorrow, the government will give more details about these initiatives. They will be adapted to the needs, economic realities, and requirements of each economic sector.
We will meet this challenge so our economy is preserved during this arduous moment in history, so working citizens will have security in their purchasing power.
Dear fellow citizens, France is living through a very difficult moment. Nobody can tell how long it will last. As days go by, and as problems may give way to other problems, we must, together with the insights given to us by scientific researchers, adapt to this reality.
We have to keep working through this moment, to work towards a cure, and I know the devotion of teams in our our country, with the first hopes already in sight, and we will keep working toward a vaccine.
I will keep talking to you regularly and I will tell you, as I have, as the government has, the truth about how this situation is unfolding.
I am sure of one thing: the more we work together, and swiftly, the quicker we will overcome this challenge.
The more we act as citizens, the more we will prove the strength of our souls, the more we will show the selflessness demonstrated by our healthcare workers, firefighter, government workers, the quicker we will emerge from this. We will get there by coming together in solidarity.
I am asking you to be responsible all together, to not give way to panic, to accept these burdens, to bear them, to take them on yourselves as we all take them on, there will be no lawlessness, panic, or disorder.
We will triumph. But this moment will have taught us much. Many of our certainties and assumptions will be blown away. Many things we thought impossible will be upon us.
Let us take action with strength, but let us retain this: the day after our victory, we will not be going back to “normal.” We will take on a higher moral power, we will have learned things, and I, like you, will understand all of the consequences.
Let us raise ourselves up, individually and collective, to the height demanded by this moment.
I know, my dear fellow citizens, that I can count on you.
LONG LIVE THE REPUBLIC! LONG LIVE FRANCE!"
There have been many things I've wanted to talk about in the past several weeks regarding COVID-19, aka coronavirus. Many of my thoughts have been echoed by others, or the right advice and perspective were repeated far and wide. But something I saw tonight was a bit different, and it really moved me. It was a speech by French Prime Minister Emmanuel Macron.
We are at war with a disease that will kill millions of Americans unless each one of us takes action in our own daily lives to prevent it.
Yes, the threat is real. No, the scientists are not overreacting. No, the media is not blowing it out of proportion. It is impossibe for a city or a state or a nation or a planet to get the response to a pandemic exactly right. Over-reacting or under-reacting, those are the choices. The only way to get out in front of something like this, to prevent the worst case scenario, is to take actions that seem, at the time, unnecessary to many people.This is an unprecedented time in the lives of every single one of us, save for the few alive during the Spanish Flu of 1918. The other recent pandemics and virus scares killed many people, but nowhere near the scale of what COVID-19 is poised to do if we don't band together and fight.
French President Emmanuel Macron's 20-minute address on 16 March 2020 (Twitter Link) to the people of France was incredibly powerful. His words are as relevant and inspiring for Americans, or citizens of any nation on Earth, as they are for the French.
I've not found an official English translation, or an English transcript from a news organization, but a Twitter account I follow has provided what appears to be an accurate and fairly precise translation. Here's a transcript in French
The commentary from Eric Garland, the person who tweeted the English translation, also is very compelling. His Twitter thread is here, and I've also assembled the full translated text of Macron's speech below.
At the end of the day, I don't care what you believe about COVID-19. All I care is what you DO about it. (Maybe I do care about what you believe, to the extent that you need to believe enough about the danger to humanity to convince yourself to take action, to sacrifice, to do your part.)
My parents are old enough to be at considerable risk of death if they contract this virus. One of my cousins is of similar age as me and has been valiantly and successfully battling cancer for several years. She likely will die if she contracts this virus. Looking at these words as I re-read this post, I am shaking. I cannot imagine my parents or my cousin being taken by this disease. And yet, it is a very real possibility.
All of us know people who very likely will die if they are infected with this virus. We simply must make the sacrifices necessary to do everything we can to save the lives of our fellow human beings.
Many of us - including leaders and prominent voices among us - denied or ignored the magnitude of the threat as it grew both outside and inside our borders. Many of those have slowly come around to the stark reality. Now we need to convince everyone else, because we can succeed only if everyone is all in.
We need to change what we view as acceptable social norms NOW. And we need to do it immediately. Do not be embarrassed to tell someone who wants to shake hands that you really aren't comfortable or that it isn't safe. Don't snicker at someone who wears gloves while shopping at the grocery store. Don't laugh at someone who uses a towel or napkin to avoid holding onto the gas pump with their bare hand. Those are things ALL of us SHOULD be doing.
Rather than attempt to weave an eloquent essay about Macron's speech, I'm just going to highlight some of the key points so the gravity of this moment is not lost among my own inadequate words.
Key Quotes from Macron's Speech
- We are getting to a point where our health system is breaking down, where the pressure is on healthcare workers. All of our energy needs to be on slowing the progression of the virus. Follow[ing] the rules of prevention is the only way to take pressure off the healthcare system. let us listen to our healthcare workers: if you want to help them, STAY HOME.
- Yes we have new rules, but I want you as citizens to apply them to yourselves as a measure of your responsibility and your solidarity with your fellow citizens.
- We can work with our neighbors, create new solidarity between the generations, to innovate what we need for this moment.
- I know that this new effort of which I ask you is unexpected, but the circumstances demand it of us.
- WE ARE AT WAR. A health war, of course - we are not fighting an army or another nation - but the enemy is there, it’s advancing, and we need to mobilize.
- I ask all stakeholders - political, economic, social, ALL FRENCH PEOPLE to come together in national unity - the kind that has allowed our country to overcome so many crises in the past.
- You know it, you see it coming - this unprecedented health crisis will have major consequences: human, social, and economic.
- This is the challenge before us. I am asking sacrifices of you to slow down this pandemic.
- France is living through a very difficult moment. Nobody can tell how long it will last. As days go by, and as problems may give way to other problems, we must, together with the insights given to us by scientific researchers, adapt to this reality.
- I am asking you to be responsible all together, to not give way to panic, to accept these burdens, to bear them, to take them on yourselves as we all take them on, there will be no lawlessness, panic, or disorder.
- Let us raise ourselves up, individually and collectively, to the height demanded by this moment.
- I know, my dear fellow citizens, that I can count on you. LONG LIVE THE REPUBLIC!
Full Translation of Macron Speech
"Thursday last, I told you about the health crisis our country is facing.Perhaps for some of you, COVID-19 is a far away idea. It has become an immediate, pressing reality.
The gov’t has taken bold, firm action to stop the spread of the virus. Daycares, schools, high schools, and universities have been closed since last Thursday. As of Saturday, bars, restaurant, shops also closed up.
Events with more than 100 people have been forbidden. France has never had to take such radical, however temporary steps during peace time.
These actions were taken in an orderly fashion on the basis of science with one sole objective: to protect us from the spread of the virus.
Thursday last, we had a consensus around keeping the first round of the Municipal Elections.
Sunday, we were able to vote. I want to thank the State, the mayors, all those who managed polling places. I’d like to also thank the French people for following the rules while voting.
I’ve seen people in France going around cafés and parks like nothing has changed - you are not protecting the rest of us. Even if you have no symptoms, you can still transmit the virus to your friends, parents, grandparents, the health of people dear to you.
We are getting to a point where our health system is breaking down, where the pressure is on healthcare workers. All of our energy needs to be on slowing the progression of the virus.
Follow(ing) the rules of prevention is the only way to take pressure off the healthcare system. Don’t call the ambulance except in case of emergency. Don’t go to the ER except in case of very high fever and respiratory distress.
Leaving the house must be for very limited purposes:
-Shopping for food, keeping one meter of distance with other people
-Healthcare visits
-Work, if work from home is impossible
-Taking a walk for exercise, but not to meet friends.
All companies must make allowance so the maximum number of workers can do so from home. Any breaking of these rules will mean sanctions.
I say to you very solemnly tonight, let us listen to our healthcare workers: if you want to help them, STAY HOME.
Yes we have new rules, but I want you as citizens to apply them to yourselves as a measure of your responsibility and your solidarity with your fellow citizens.
Having consulted the president of the Senate, the Chamber of Deputies, as well as my predecessors, I decided to postpone the second round of Municipal Elections. The PM has informed the party heads in the legislature. Everyone is unanimous.
My dear fellow citizens, I am taking account of the impact of these decisions on your life. This is all heart breaking. But we can hold the line. We can work with our neighbors, create new solidarity between the generations, to innovate what we need for this moment.
I ask you to stay in your homes and remain calm. I’ve seen instances of panic in all sorts of ways. You need to watch out for disinformation. Keep people in your house informed, read, focus on what counts. I think that’s what matters in this moment.
A proper sense of this moment is important, so avoid panic, fake news, fake experts. We’ve got clear, transparent information for you, and we will keep giving it to you.
I know that this new effort of which I ask you is unexpected, but the circumstances demand it of us.
WE ARE AT WAR. A health war, of course - we are not fighting an army or another nation - but the enemy is there, it’s advancing, and we need to mobilize.
We are at war and the entire activity of the government and parliament needs to be toward fighting this pandemic. Nothing can distract from this mission. All government reform initiatives will be suspended, starting with retirement reform.
Starting Wednesday, there will be a law proposed to give the government emergency powers, when necessary, to legislate via executive order in the areas relating to the management of this crisis. The law will go to Parliament on Thursday.
WE ARE AT WAR. I ask all stakeholders - political, economic, social, ALL FRENCH PEOPLE to come together in national unity - the kind that has allowed our country to overcome so many crises in the past.
WE ARE AT WAR. This nation will care for its children - healthcare workers - in cities, in hospitals - those on the front line of combat that demands all of their their energy, determination, and solidarity.
Those healthcare workers have the right to ask things of us. We owe them the means to do their work, the protection to do it - and we will be there. We owe them masks, sanitizing gel, all the equipment needed, and we will watch over them.
The government has decided along with scientists to reserve masks for hospitals in the city and the countryside. Masks will be delivered tomorrow night to the 25 departments with the most cases of COVID-19, Wednesday for the rest of the country.
We also owe healthcare workers daycare for their children, and a daycare service will be set up at daycares and schools. We owe them peace of mind for while they work, and rest when they need a break. TAXIS AND HOTELS CAN BE USED TO HELP THEM. THE STATE WILL PAY THE WHOLE BILL.
WE ARE AT WAR, YES. This country will support the most affected areas just as it will those affected tomorrow. I want to assure the residents and healthcare workers of the East that we will support them through the influx of patients and the overload of the hospital system.
I know what they’ve been going through; we will be there for them. I’ve decided to order a field hospital from the French Army Health Service to be set up in Alsace. The Army will deploy its resources to transport the most ill patients and reduce the congestion in hospitals.
To contain the virus and preserve our health systems, Europeans made a common decision: starting tomorrow at noon, all border entries to the Schengen area of the European Union will be closed. All travel between non-EU countries and the EU will be suspended for 30 days.
French citizens currently abroad who want to return can of course come back home.
We made this decision because I am asking significant sacrifices of us all and we must protect ourselves for the duration.
I want to let all French citizens living abroad know that, even there, they should make contact with consulates and embassies, and that we are arranging their repatriation.
You know it, you see it coming - this unprecedented health crisis will have major consequences: human social, and economic.
This is the challenge before us. I am asking sacrifices of you to slow down this pandemic.
We must never doubt helping the most fragile, sustaining our companies, supporting salaried and independent workers.
For those most in need, destitute, and isolated, we will work with non-profits and local governments so they can be fed, protected, that the services we owe them are delivered.
As far as our economy, *no French company* - *no matter its size* - will risk going out of business.
*No French citizen will be left without support.*
For companies, we are taking extraordinary measures to help with taxes, social security, bankruptcy, and 300 billion euros in government-guaranteed loans available from banks. For the smallest companies, they will bear *no financial burdens* - neither taxes nor social security.
Gas bills, electrical bills, and RENT bills are hereby suspended.
So no French citizen will be left without resources, as I announced last week, partial unemployment benefits will be massively expanded.
For small business owners, shopkeepers, tradesmen - a solidarity fund will be created, financed by the State, and to which regional governments will also contribute.
Starting tomorrow, the government will give more details about these initiatives. They will be adapted to the needs, economic realities, and requirements of each economic sector.
We will meet this challenge so our economy is preserved during this arduous moment in history, so working citizens will have security in their purchasing power.
Dear fellow citizens, France is living through a very difficult moment. Nobody can tell how long it will last. As days go by, and as problems may give way to other problems, we must, together with the insights given to us by scientific researchers, adapt to this reality.
We have to keep working through this moment, to work towards a cure, and I know the devotion of teams in our our country, with the first hopes already in sight, and we will keep working toward a vaccine.
I will keep talking to you regularly and I will tell you, as I have, as the government has, the truth about how this situation is unfolding.
I am sure of one thing: the more we work together, and swiftly, the quicker we will overcome this challenge.
The more we act as citizens, the more we will prove the strength of our souls, the more we will show the selflessness demonstrated by our healthcare workers, firefighter, government workers, the quicker we will emerge from this. We will get there by coming together in solidarity.
I am asking you to be responsible all together, to not give way to panic, to accept these burdens, to bear them, to take them on yourselves as we all take them on, there will be no lawlessness, panic, or disorder.
We will triumph. But this moment will have taught us much. Many of our certainties and assumptions will be blown away. Many things we thought impossible will be upon us.
Let us take action with strength, but let us retain this: the day after our victory, we will not be going back to “normal.” We will take on a higher moral power, we will have learned things, and I, like you, will understand all of the consequences.
Let us raise ourselves up, individually and collective, to the height demanded by this moment.
I know, my dear fellow citizens, that I can count on you.
LONG LIVE THE REPUBLIC! LONG LIVE FRANCE!"
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