Behind the screens, panic. Testimonials abound, Internet users are racing.
In this case of water contaminated by the cryptosporidiosis bacterium, the presence of which has not yet been identified by water analyzes carried out by the Paca Regional Health Agency, social networks suggest that a general panic in the city. Between the virtual and the real, there is a whole world.
No, the populations of Saint-Cézaire, Peymeinade, Le Tignet, Cabris and Spéracèdes do not rush to supermarkets to buy packs of water by the dozen.
Nor are consumers encountering empty shelves. Even though some people, hidden behind their mobile phones, claim that “everything has been robbed”.
This imaginary madness makes an employee of the Intermarché supermarket in Peymeinade smile. “Earlier this week we noticed more purchases of bottled water than usual as it is advised not to drink from the tap, but it’s not as much as you might think.”
Jeanine, who is just placing two packs of water on the treadmill at the checkout, recognizes that it is the “topic of the moment”. “But just because I buy bottled water doesn’t mean I’m worried. I only do it as a precaution.”
At the exit of the sign, another customer hurries to her vehicle with the same products under her arms. “The ARS confirms that there are twenty-two diagnosed cases. On Facebook, I read some symptoms (main symptoms are abdominal cramps and diarrhea). I don’t want my children to get sick…”
Bottles and glasses available
And in schools, precisely? “We distributed water packs in nurseries, nursery schools and elementary schools”, affirms the municipality, in perpetual link with the Régie des Eaux du Canal Belletrud.
The proof is in the playground of the elementary school Fragonard. On tables, bottles and glasses, on which first names have been scribbled in black marker, are made available to children in self-service.
“As soon as we are in need, we are delivered with water. The city is super responsive. The children each have their own glass, regularly cleaned, explains the director, Alexandra Michel. And in the classrooms, filters have been installed on the taps.”
No difficulty, then. Even with parents. “We communicate a lot. Nobody cares.”
In front of the Fragonard nursery school appears: “If your child has diarrhea and stomach aches, we advise you to have a stool analysis performed and to keep us informed of the results at the following email address: [email protected].”
For the few people who did not have the information…
