The United States is hit hard by the global Covid-19 epidemic, in particular New York State with 25,000 cases, half of the total in the United States and 210 dead (figures from Friday 03/27/20). This is where Mathilde Bernard lives, the director of the house of Occitanie, an antenna of the regional council installed on the famous 5th Avenue. It is a center of assistance for companies in our region wishing to export to Uncle Sam’s country or for American companies wishing to invest in Occitania.
Incredulous Americans
Mathilde Bernard was in France at the beginning of March when the epidemic was already raging, back in New York she alerted her friends to the imminent danger but they did not want to believe her: “they thought the virus would not reach the United States. With the explosion in the number of cases, they had to face the facts but it was a shock “ says the expatriate.
Since mid-March, schools, restaurants, bars, cinemas and all places open to the public have closed their doors, as has the Maison de l’Occitanie. The three employees are teleworking. “We are still active, companies are contacting us, we respond by email, we are a kind of Hotline. What just changes is that our events have been postponed. The streets are deserted, the governor of NY asks us to stay with us as much as possible, but, unlike France, we do not have no exit authorization to present to exit“ explains Mathilde Bernard.
Lack of beds for severe cases
As everywhere, the question which arises is that of the number of beds necessary for the seriously ill. The authorities fear the shortage, the city’s largest convention center has been transformed into a hospital with 1,000 beds. It will be enlarged if necessary.
“I have had a lot of calls from relatives in France worried but strangely here we do not feel too much anxiety. That said, I begin to realize that there will be problems of places.”
Another question who will pay the hospital costs? Fortunately, at the Maison de l’Occitanie the staff have good health insurance through the employment contract, but this is far from the case for all Americans. For them, President Donald Trump has made a first gesture, screening tests are free.
–
