According to France Inter, the French government is preparing a national homage to the victims of the Covid epidemic. Behind this decision, Jean Castex’s advisors in Matignon, the French President himself, as well as associations of victims asking for such a reflective moment for months. “It is the government’s will”, a source close to the file told France Inter.
As to know if this homage will take place as a ceremony, a yearly day or a memorial, “we are working on that. We want to find the perfect formula in agreement with associations”, Jean Castex’s entourage told France Inter. As for the date of this national homage, it might take place in March 2022, namely two years after the outbreak of the pandemic. “It is one of the serious leads”, an advisor told France Inter.
For the record, this past April 15, when Santé Publique France officially reported over 100,000 Covid-19 dead, French President Emmanuel Macron issued a tweet to pay tribute. Although the government did not address the organization of a national ceremony paying tribute to Covid-19 dead, the head of state claimed: “we will forget no face or name”.
“We all think about their families, children who lost a parent or a grandparent, the bereaved siblings, the stolen friendships”, Emmanuel Macron said.
