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Day: 24 March 2020

Chloroquine approved at CHPG, banned in pharmacies

by: Cassandra Tanti
24/03/2020

Chloroquine is being used “under very close medical supervision” in Monaco, the Prince’s government has revealed. Meanwhile, pharmacies have been banned from selling the anti-malarial drug as concern rises over self-medication.
It was announced on Monday 23rd March that chloroquine can be administered in France to patients suffering from the severest forms of the coronavirus but only under strict supervision, France’s Health Minister Olivier Veran said.
Less than 24 hours later, Monaco’s Minister of Social Affairs and Health Didier Gamerdinger gave a public address, saying that the Princess Grace Hospital is administering chloroquine “under very close medical supervision while being attentive to its undesirable side effects”.
“Because this molecule presents risks of improper use and overdose causing cardiac and renal problems, it will only be delivered or used after close control and under medical supervision,” said the minister.
Mr Gamerdinger revealed that Monaco is preserving its stocks of chloroquine and “preventing dangerous self-medication”.
Patients already on chloroquine treatment will still be able to obtain the drug from a designated pharmacy in the Principality.
Meanwhile, the minister revealed that four new cases of Covid-19 had been confirmed in the Principality since Sunday, bringing the total to 27. “Ten of these are hospitalised, the others are being monitored at home, but not all of them are Monegasque residents,” said Mr Gamerdinger, acknowledging that the CHPG has a responsibility to take care of people from neighbouring municipalities. “The health situation remains manageable given this development. We are not yet on a very rapid increase in the epidemic,” he added.
The minister said that a new large delivery of hydro-alcoholic gel has been made to health professionals while a large number of masks is expected to arrive in the coming days.
 
 

Prince opens up about having novel coronavirus

by: Stephanie Horsman
24/03/2020

After testing positive for Covid-19 last week, Prince Albert has gone on the record to speak about the state of his health, the measures being taken in Monaco to combat the virus and his doubts over whether the Olympic Games would go ahead this summer.

In an interview with RTL on Monday 23rd March, the Sovereign Prince said that all “is fine” at the Palace despite returning a positive test for the novel coronavirus.

“The first symptoms appeared on Sunday night into Monday 15th March,” said Prince Albert, “so it’s been a good week. I did not have the result of my test until Wednesday, but I suspected it as there were symptoms that were beginning to speak.” 

He went on to say that he “had no loss of taste or smell. At first it was like a cold coming, the cough did not come right away. Afterwards, we saw that I had a bit of a fever, but these are fairly minor symptoms.”

Given the mildness of his case, the Prince of Monaco opted for home confinement rather than hospital treatment. So far, he has also been kept off chloroquine, the current treatment given to patients with more severe forms of the disease.

The Prince went on to talk about the measures being taken to stop the spread of Covid-19 and how the Principality has followed France in establishing home confinement protocols as well as nightly curfews to ensure people stay indoors and do not try to flout the system, thus becoming dangers to others as well as themselves.

As a member of the International Olympic Committee, HSH Prince Albert II said that a postponement of two or three months would be a reasonable solution for the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, and would allow all countries to participate safely.

By Tuesday, the International Olympic Committee had confirmed that the event, due to begin on 24th July, would be postponed until the summer of 2021.

Meanwhile, on Friday 20th March, the Palace released a statement saying that the Prince was “touched by the many expressions of sympathy that came to him from all over the world,” adding, “His Serene Highness wishes to thank all those who have shown their support for Him. The Sovereign Prince remains confined in His apartments in the Palace. He continues to work with his closest collaborators in compliance with health precaution rules. His health, monitored several times a day by his doctors, does not cause any concern.”

“Patience, confidence, courage and solidarity,” signed the Prince.

 
 

Council and government join forces

by: Stephanie Horsman
24/03/2020

Prince Albert has established a monitoring committee to manage the Covid-19 crisis in Monaco after a call by the National Council for a collaborative approach.
HSH Prince Albert II issued a press release on Monday 23rd March responding to an open letter sent by the National Council requesting the formation of a Covid-19 task force to manage the most serious crisis seen in the Principality since World War II.
The Covid monitoring committee will be headed up by the Minister of State, Serge Telle. Representatives of the Assembly will be informed of all decisions, both pending or already made, by the Prince’s government while the National Council will be able to make proposals to the government through the committee.
This unprecedented peacetime committee is authorised to put systems in place via Sovereign Ordinance, which shall be signed in the coming days.
The Prince’s government says the committee will follow protocol within the strict framework of its constitutional powers in order to keep Monaco institutions functioning during the crisis period and is calling for national unity and support to help make this happen.
Aware of the consequences this health crisis is having on everyone’s lives, the Prince is reminding the citizens of Monaco of his “total commitment to the implementation of necessary measures” to ensure the safety of all and the quick return to normalcy.
Prince Albert has also expressed his thanks to those who have mobilised to help during these challenging times, notably the staff from the State and Commune Services, from health, rescue and security departments, as well as volunteers.
 
Top photo: Stéphane Valeri during a recent Assembly meeting, courtesy Conseil National de Monaco 
 

Environmental impact of lockdown

by: Stephanie Horsman
24/03/2020

We all know the downsides to confinement, but there is also a silver lining. The environment, as well as the population, are coming out winners with Monaco seeing cleaner air and less noise.

As home confinement, home schooling and teleworking become the norm during lockdown, there are inevitably many less cars are on the roads. This may not seem like a big deal, but considering there are roughly 48,000 commuters travelling in and out of the Principality each day, coupled with those who already live and work in Monaco, that is a lot of vehicles on the road on any given day.

With less vehicles comes some very real benefits. The air becomes cleaner and noise levels drop significantly. As residents open windows to air their homes, they perhaps are noticing the lack of noise coming from construction sites, public works, road traffic or life in general. They may also be noticing a slight shift in the freshness of the air, as air quality improves throughout the region.

According to statistics by iqair.com, Monaco is looking at “good” air quality in five of the next seven days, and there have already been improvements in air quality since Sunday.

This phenomenon is happening the world over as flights are grounded, factories close down and people are confined to their homes. In China, satellite images from NASA and the European Space Agency showed a significant decrease in nitrogen dioxide pollution in the early months of this year after much of the country went into lockdown.
A similar effect has been seen in the north of Italy, while in New York City, scientists at Columbia University reported a 5-10 percent drop in CO2 emissions this week as traffic levels fell 35 percent. Los Angeles, notorious for its smoggy skies, is seeing unprecedented good air quality.
It’s not just air quality being affected, but also water. The rumours about dolphins in Venice canals are probably apocryphal, but it is true that they are clear, and relatively odour-free for the first time in anyone’s memory. Fish, swans and other marine life have returned in droves.
The effects of this reduction in pollution are not forecast to last though, once life resumes and people go back to work the pollution levels will rise again. 
But this glimmer of what life could be like may create a shift in mindset. People may start considering the impact of their actions and perhaps think twice before jetting off to a weekend party or hopping in the car for a short trip. With a little bit of change could come big rewards.  
 
 

Life in lockdown: Cookery classes

by: Stephanie Horsman
24/03/2020

Looking for something entertaining and educational to do during lockdown? Then why not check out a few online cookery classes. Some are free, most are inexpensive, and all are fun… plus they are suitable for the whole family.
Learning to cook is one of those things everyone says they want to do, but simply don’t have the time for. Confinement eradicates the “no time” excuse, now it is just about finding a class that fits the bill in terms of what to learn to make.
The internet is awash with choice. There are sites that condense a vast array of classes onto their sites so choosing is easier than ever. Some are actual online courses you do with an instructor in real time, whilst some give step-by-step instructions and ideas on what to make.
Want to learn how to cook on that wood stove that is currently being used as a junk collector? How about making a fool proof pancake? Or fresh-out-of-the-oven bread?
The selection is nearly endless, and the benefits are immense. Not only will new ideas for daily meals come out of these courses, but the kids can never again say they don’t know how to make x-y-z. Breakfast, or lunch for that matter, in bed, anyone?
Here are a few ideas to get started:

For those with tastes leaning more toward the adult beverage end of things, there are also multiple choices. The opportunity to learn about what wines to stock up on, how to do pairings, or how to make the best espresso martini ever from the comfort of home may make some viewers never want to leave the sofa!

Bon appetit, y’all!
 

Will Monaco endorse chloroquine?

by: Cassandra Tanti
24/03/2020

The anti-malarial drug chloroquine can be administered in France to patients suffering from the severest forms of the coronavirus but only under strict supervision, France’s Health Minister Olivier Veran has said. The Prince’s Government has not indicated where it stands on the controversial treatment.
Some researchers have said chloroquine shows great promise as a treatment, though scientists have agreed that more trials are needed to determine if the drug is really effective and safe.
“The high council recommends not to use this treatment… with the exception of grave cases, hospitalised, on the basis of a decision taken by doctors and under strict surveillance,” Veran told reporters.
Monaco has been close behind France, particularly the Alpes Maritimes, with regards to its Covid-19 response, including the closure of schools and non-essential businesses and imposing a night curfew. It remains to be seen whether the Principality will take the same stance on chloroquine as its neighbour.
Meanwhile, there is now an online coronavirus advice site in France – but available to all – aimed at those who think they have symptoms. At the end of a series of questions, people are advised whether they likely have the virus and are given direction as to further action.