The Revenge of the Germs
In matters of police , defense , justice , and health , the political choices of recent years have been dictated above all by accountants . Obviously , public money must be well managed — indeed , the French demand it . But is it so badly managed in Germany , which seems to have far more equipped emergency beds than in France , both in absolute number and in proportion ? Or is it so badly managed in Taiwan , an isolated and “ encircled ” country , but with a recognized dynamism , which has perfectly mastered the pandemic ?
Contrary to what is too often thought , rigor is not austerity , and investment is often a useful expense , much more than a risky cost . The creation of speculative bubbles is generally more the result of an accounting entry , fair value , than a phenomenon of pure capitalism .
The management of chaos is a difficult art , and one cannot systematically make current leaders bear the consequences of old decisions , going back a decade , sometimes two , but also of a structuring culture that would like , against any political decision , that an invisible hand , sitting at the Treasury , remain the only regalian tool that must always rule everything . If rigor is a value that a taxpayer cannot ignore , it alone cannot prevent the beautiful risk of investment , nor can it reverse priorities by forgetting the value of the human being .
It is all well and good to salute and consecrate the “ heroes ” of everyday life , but we cannot ignore the degraded conditions in which their heroism had to express itself , nor the fact that this outburst is due above all to the incredible agility of the national D system . In any event , it should never be forgotten that it was the very people that the administration wanted to sacrifice who saved the hospital system through their dedication , will , creativity , risk-taking , and dedication . Like the policemen ( too many , too well paid , not working enough ), the cashiers ( to be eliminated to make way for machines ), the bakers and pharmacists ( remnants of the ancient world good for museums ), not to mention the teachers ( necessarily shirkers ), in short , all contact professions that have also become contact professions , allowing the country to hold on despite everything .
In addition , it is hard scientists , social scientists , and also elected representatives , especially parliamentarians , who have patiently prevented , informed , and sometimes prepared the French people by fighting against the inertia and sufficiency of a restive administration .
The state has often shown that it knows how to be a true strategist , but also that it regularly needs to be confirmed in its choices by confrontation with reality . Everyone can see that we are going through this ordeal painfully . Today we are paying dearly for our lack of prevention tools . As always , we are paying dearly for our lack of prevention tools . As in criminal or terrorist matters , the lesson is a cruel one . Let us make sure it will not have been in vain . Let us take advantage of this opportunity to prepare for the aftermath by giving a clear , coherent , simple , and direct public speech .
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