Battle-weary Paris ambulance crew: people's support keeps us going
French ambulance men, wearing protective suits and masks, transport to an hospital a man suspected of being infected with the coronavirus disease in their ambulance in Mennecy near Paris as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues in France April 15, 2020. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes
For French ambulance crew boss Fabrice Lancelot, the coronavirus crisis has delivered a small consolation: a new respect for health workers, even among notoriously impatient Paris motorists.
"I get the impression that there's a bit more respect on the roads," said Lancelot, crew boss with the UMPSA Pro private ambulance firm that has spent the past weeks ferrying patients around the southern suburbs of the French capital. Many have COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
A French ambulance man, wearing protective suit and mask, transports a man suspected of being infected with the coronavirus disease at the Sud Francilien hospital in Corbeil-Essonne near Paris as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues in France April 15, 2020. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes
"Definitely there's less traffic, so we get in the way less, but ... if someone cuts you up, or does not give way to you by mistake, they apologise by raising their hand. That's something we did not see before," he said.
The coronavirus death toll in France on Wednesday reached 15,729. With hospitals and clinics fighting to treat thousands of people with virus symptoms, French citizens have shown their support. Every night at 8 p.m. (1800 GMT), many Parisians step out on their balconies to applaud healthcare workers.
That sentiment has provided a much-needed morale boost for the ambulance crews in the suburbs of Paris. "We feel appreciated more," said Jean-Manuel Robles, a crew member with the UMPSA Pro team.
French ambulance men, wearing protective suits and masks, transport to an hospital a man suspected of being infected with the coronavirus disease in their ambulance in Mennecy near Paris as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues in France April 15, 2020. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes
On Tuesday, Robles and his colleagues were called out to see a 29-year-old woman who had tested positive for COVID-19. She had been told to recuperate at home, but was having respiratory problems, so dialled for help.
Before entering the woman's apartment building, Robles and his colleague, Najib Alouani, put on full protective gear: coveralls, masks, goggles and gloves.
They put the woman on a wheelchair, loaded her into the ambulance, and transported her to the Sud Francilien hospital for treatment. Afterwards, they stripped off their gear, disinfected, and got ready for the next callout.
A French ambulance man, wearing protective suit and mask, arrives to transport a man suspected of being infected with the coronavirus disease at a residential building in Mennecy near Paris as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues in France April 15, 2020. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes
Around two weeks ago, Robles and his colleagues were transporting some 10 people with COVID-19 symptoms a day. That number is now down by half, the crew said.
But the weeks of working under pressure have left a mark and working out how to protect yourself from a highly contagious virus is a constant worry.
"It's something that weighs you down," Robles said.
A French ambulance man, wearing protective suit and mask, trasnport a man suspected of being infected with the coronavirus disease at the Sud Francilien hospital in Corbeil-Essonne near Paris as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues in France April 15, 2020. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes
But he said ordinary people's appreciation helped him get through. "We see a bit more solidarity towards the ambulance crews," said Robles. "It allows us, as professionals to have a little lift in our morale and to keep doing what we're doing."
(Writing by Christian Lowe; editing by Barbara Lewis)
French ambulance men, wearing protective suits and masks, transport to an hospital a man suspected of being infected with the coronavirus disease in their ambulance in Mennecy near Paris as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues in France April 15, 2020. REUTERS/Gonzalo FuentesA French ambulance man, wearing protective suit and mask, transports to an hospital a man suspected of being infected with the coronavirus disease in their ambulance in Mennecy near Paris as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues in France April 15, 2020. REUTERS/Gonzalo FuentesA French ambulance man, wearing protective suit and mask, gets ready before to transport to an hospital a man suspected of being infected with the coronavirus disease in Mennecy near Paris as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues in France April 15, 2020. REUTERS/Gonzalo FuentesA French ambulance man, wearing protective suit and mask, transports a man suspected of being infected with the coronavirus disease at the Sud Francilien hospital in Corbeil-Essonne near Paris as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues in France April 15, 2020. REUTERS/Gonzalo FuentesA French ambulance man, wearing protective suit and mask, talks to a man suspected of being infected with the coronavirus disease in an ambulance as they arrive at the Sud Francilien hospital in Corbeil-Essonne near Paris as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues in France April 15, 2020. REUTERS/Gonzalo FuentesA French ambulance man, wearing protective suit and mask, gets ready before to transport to an hospital a man suspected of being infected with the coronavirus disease in Mennecy near Paris as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues in France April 15, 2020. REUTERS/Gonzalo FuentesAn ambulance transports a man suspected of being infected with the coronavirus disease at the Sud Francilien hospital in Corbeil-Essonne near Paris as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues in France April 15, 2020. REUTERS/Gonzalo FuentesA French ambulance man disinfects an ambulance after transporting a man suspected of being infected with the coronavirus disease at the Sud Francilien hospital in Corbeil-Essonne near Paris as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues in France April 15, 2020. REUTERS/Gonzalo FuentesA French ambulance man, wearing protective suit and mask, makes a phone call before to transport to an hospital a man suspected of being infected with the coronavirus disease in Mennecy near Paris as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues in France April 15, 2020. REUTERS/Gonzalo FuentesA French ambulance man, wearing protective suit and mask, talks to a man suspected of being infected with the coronavirus disease in an ambulance as they arrive at the Sud Francilien hospital in Corbeil-Essonne near Paris as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues in France April 15, 2020. REUTERS/Gonzalo FuentesA French ambulance man disinfects an ambulance after transporting a man suspected of being infected with the coronavirus disease at the Sud Francilien hospital in Corbeil-Essonne near Paris as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues in France April 15, 2020. REUTERS/Gonzalo FuentesMedical staff, wearing protective face masks, work in an emergency call center for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients in Evry near Paris as the spread of the coronavirus disease continues in France, April 15, 2020.REUTERS/Gonzalo FuentesMedical staff, wearing protective face masks, work in an emergency call center for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients in Evry near Paris as the spread of the coronavirus disease continues in France, April 15, 2020.REUTERS/Gonzalo FuentesA nurse takes a break next to parking lot for ambulance at the Sud Francilien hospital in Corbeil-Essonne near Paris as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues in France April 15, 2020. REUTERS/Gonzalo FuentesMedical staff, wearing protective face masks, work in an emergency call center for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients in Evry near Paris as the spread of the coronavirus disease continues in France, April 15, 2020.REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes
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