Lunchtime news update Monday 4th May 2020

Formula One driver Charles Leclerc is on the starting line with the Monaco Red Cross. Monaco’s Formula One driver Charles Leclerc has participated in deliveries alongside teams from the Monaco Red Cross.

Leclerc already involved with the Ferrari team to support the action of the Italian Red Cross last March has participated in the deliveries of the Monaco Red Cross and equipment for the Princess Grace Hospital Center in Monaco.

The Monegasque Red Cross wishes to sincerely thank all the volunteers and all the donors for their actions and their commitment. Each contribution allows the Monaco Red Cross to continue to carry out essential action in the fight against this pandemic.

You can also contribute to our actions by making a donation to the Monegasque Red Cross via its website: www.croix-rouge.mc.

Masks - As of today Monday, May 4th, masks for the general public are available in supermarkets across France. There will however be only a few surgical masks on sale as the delivery of these masks will be staggered throughout the week, so that the maximum of French can be equipped by May 11th. 

OGC Nice masks - Meanwhile from May 11th OGC Nice will make it possible for fans to obtain masks in the clubs colours. The masks which meet the requirements of health standards, will be available in "adult" and "child" models and will be sold at a unit price of 5 euros. 
Buying your OGC Nice mask means protecting yourself while doing a good deed as for each mask sold, € 1 will be donated to the OGC Nice Endowment Fund and used for actions carried out in the fight against Covid-19 . The masks will soon be available at the official store and online. 

Monte Carlo Fashion Week - From the 14th to the 18th of May you can discover a rich calendar of digital and interactive talks Live and a platform dedicated to the emerging and innovative designers, to bring life to an alternative and sustainable fashion week. 

A schedule of live streaming meetings that brings together the principal participants of the Monegasque event from the past, present, and future. During the lavish program of Instagram live on the @montecarlofashionweek channel, the different personalities of the fashion industry will explore cultural and costume themes, will discuss the state of the art of fashion and will look at possible future scenarios.

The meetings will be inaugurated by Pauline Ducruet, daughter of H.S.H. Princess Stephanie of Monaco and founder of the genderless brand Alter. Other names are expected to follow in a program that will be unveiled shortly and which will see the alternation of talks and previews of new collections.

French Minister confirms deferral of charges for businesses - France’s Minister of Action and Public Accounts Gérard Darmanin, has this morning announced on French radio that while “the lockdown has saved lives it’s had enormous economic consequences”  stating that  “the impact is difficult to assess as it changes every day”. The minister also declared that for all businesses in difficulty the deferral of charges will be extended in May. Darmanin concluded that the reopening of schools is "imperative" adding that it is children from working class families who are suffering the most from not going to school."

Dogs being trained to detect people who may be infected with coronavirus - Dogs in Corsica are being trained by the emergency services to try to detect people who may be infected with coronavirus.

Firefighters in Ajaccio are using sweat samples from COVID-19 patients who've agreed to be part of the trial.

Dogs are known for their capacity to recognise other diseases including cancers, such as breast and prostate cancers and even diabetes, although it has not been officially proven. What remains to be proven is whether the COVID-19 molecule emits a particular odor."

If tests are successful and the results are confirmed, it would allow rapid and massive screening of the population.

France’s news outlets denounce “Desinfox Coronavirus” - More than thirty journalistic news outlets in France have denounced the French government’s initiative of reproducing, on the government’s official website a site entitled “Desinfox Coronavirus”. The site is reportedly dedicated to a collection of articles stamped “reliable” and “devoted to Covid-19”.

The platform which was set up on Thursday 30th April is a compilation of articles published “without informing editors” claim journalists which oppose to "The state being the judge when it comes to news items”.

Teleworking - France’s Minister of Employment Muriel Pénicaud has reiterated the importance of working from home saying that “in order for the end of the lockdown to be successful if and when possible, teleworking was essential and could take place until at least the summer”.

Another option for the minister, is that employees when possible return  "on rotation basis and not all at the same time” to avoid being too many at the same time both on public transport and at the workplace."

Weather warning - Meteo France has placed several departments in south western France on an orange weather alert. The Gironde, the Landes and the Pyrénées-Atlantiques are due to experience severe thunderstorm today. The warning is in place until 6am Tuesday morning.

 

 

 

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