So here we are: Martinique is once again under a three-week lockdown—and perhaps even longer if the public health situation does not improve. This decision was made in an effort to reverse the dangerous spread of the virus, which is claiming lives every day. Admittedly, with the closure of businesses deemed non-essential to the country’s functioning, this decision can only worsen an already severely depressed economic situation, further weaken small businesses, force more layoffs, and even lead to the permanent closure of the most vulnerable ones. And the leaders of various professional organizations are rightly sounding the alarm.
Adjustments must be made. But could it have been any other way when the pandemic has already claimed the lives of 30 of our fellow citizens, has already spread to our nursing homes, and the threat of intensive care units reaching capacity looms large? Did we have to wait until the entire island of Martinique was infected to realize the gravity of the situation? Especially since the devastation caused by COVID-19 is compounded by that of dengue fever and, perhaps tomorrow, that of the flu. Everyone must understand that the fight against this epidemic—caused by a virus whose secrets scientists have not yet fully unraveled—will be long and difficult. Progress is slow, and neither the development of a treatment nor the discovery of an effective vaccine is imminent, contrary to what some are claiming. In the current situation, bringing the pandemic under control depends above all on the trust we place in scientists and on our individual and collective adherence to the guidelines issued by the authorities. This is all the more true given that, contrary to what was previously believed, the disease by no means spares the youngest age groups.
This new battle is far from won. First, because this second wave appears to be more severe than the first, but also because part of the population is being swayed by false information circulating on social media about the origin of the disease or promoting ineffective—or even dangerous—“treatments.” Now is the time, first and foremost, to remain vigilant about following preventive measures in all circumstances: within the family, at work, and in public. It is also a time for solidarity.
First, to support all those who are dedicating themselves to saving our patients and fighting the pandemic, even at the risk of infection. Our support must also go to those employees who are fighting to improve some of our neglected hospitals. And instead of systematically denigrating—as some do—the CTM’s efforts in the fight against the pandemic for purely electoral reasons, they should, on the contrary, support its unprecedented commitment to economic activity and to those whose precarious situation has worsened as a result of the health crisis. For we must acknowledge the extent of the Territorial Collectivity’s involvement in combating the crisis through the proactive measures adopted during the vote on the supplemental budget of 265 million euros, a large portion of which is earmarked to support economic activity and businesses in difficulty. Added to this effort are the new appropriations approved in the latest amending resolution, which further strengthen its commitment to combating vulnerability among the population: protection of battered women, support for isolated individuals and those with disabilities, the fight against dengue fever, and so on. But anyone acting in good faith knows that the Collectivity of Martinique, whose finances are only just recovering, cannot take on debt beyond its financial capacity, no matter how noble the cause to which it is committed. Yes, in these times of multiple pandemics, the people of Martinique, rather than dividing, must come together to support those who are dedicated to mitigating the effects of this epidemic, the end of which no one can foresee. They must demand that the French state and the Macron-Castex government implement support measures commensurate with the unprecedented crisis facing our country, which is dominated and undermined by inequalities of every kind.
Georges Erichot (in Justice)
