“We are in the vaccine priority, in the whole vaccine, which is obviously essential and necessary”, reacted Monday, December 27 on franceinfo Mahmoud Zureik, professor of epidemiology and public health at the University of Versailles-Saint-Quentin and director of Epi-Phare, after the new measures announced by the government to curb the epidemic of Covid-19. But it won’t be “not enough”, Mahmoud Zureik alert. “We need other measures. We must tell our fellow citizens that this will not be enough. We must still make efforts, even if they are not pleasant.”
Mahmoud Zureik still considers Jean Castex’s announcements positively. “This is the first time that we explain very clearly the difference in the effectiveness of vaccines on transmission and on severe forms.” This responds “to many questions” people wondering: “I had the virus” whereas “I am vaccinated”.
The Prime Minister also announced the obligation to wear a mask in town centers, under the decision of the prefects. “It is effective when there is a Christmas market, in a queue or in front of a business”, emphasizes Mahmoud Zureik. According to the epidemiologist, the effect is “probably very limited. What is needed is above all to limit the contamination inside”. He advises “the wearing of masks indoors, in poorly ventilated places where the contamination is much more important”.
Mahmoud Zureik also believes that‘”impose” an increase in teleworking, as announced by the government, is “effective, as long as social interactions are reduced and employees who are vulnerable are also protected”.
The epidemiologist would have finally liked “stronger precautionary measures over the next two weeks”, because this “will be played on the degree of gravity of Omicron”. Mahmoud Zureik would have liked “restore gauges in places where the virus is transmitted, in bars and restaurants”.
In the school, “it is absolutely necessary to work on ventilation, on air quality at school”, also insists the epidemiologist who notes the low number of tests in the establishments. “Last year, 14 months ago, we started talking about a million tests”, recalls Mahmoud Zureik. According to him, “We are struggling to reach 200,000 per week. So we are very far from the target. We keep the schools open, but unfortunately, not secure.”