key: cord-0956054-a4eliorl
authors: Annweiler, Cédric; Moulias, Sophie; Palermiti, Federico; Robine, Jean-Marie; Somme, Dominique
title: Is a new COVID-19 social contract appropriate?
date: 2021-05-26
journal: Lancet Public Health
DOI: 10.1016/s2468-2667(21)00092-x
sha: 6bc56581774f53e7fd960d9723aaca7e7d0213a5
doc_id: 956054
cord_uid: a4eliorl

nan

In their Correspondence, Laetitia Atlani-Duault and colleagues 1 advocated for voluntary self-isolation of older and vulnerable groups. The French Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology strongly opposes such genera tional segregation, which sym bolically places the responsibility for health and the economic situation on individuals according to their age. Older people (≥70 years) have already adopted self-isolation over the past year in the spirit of solidarity and responsibility towards younger people. Although general confinement is effective, 2 we acknowledge that its complications (eg, psychological morbidities and delays in care) 3 are mostly age-related and can be amplified by isolation measures limited to older people, without evidence of mortality benefits to the popu lation. 4 Moreover, claiming that self-isolation would help the economy disregards that older people are them selves an important part of economic recovery. 5 Rather than reinforcing antagonisms, we need an inclusive and united society to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. For the French Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology four principles are needed to control COVID-19. First, the social contract of not exposing oneself and others is justified during the pandemic and corresponds to scrupulously respecting physical distanc ing and barrier gestures. This social contract therefore applies to every one. Second, mass screening should be expanded to appropriately isolate contact cases and patients tested posi tive. Third, mass vaccination, includ ing isolated older people, is a priority. Pathogenic variants should not pre cipitously question vaccina tion policies. Finally, vaccination should systematically be accompanied by effective person-centred care and support plans, particularly in nursing homes.

Immune evasion means we need a new COVID-19 social contract

Association of public health interventions with the epidemiology of the COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan, China

Estimating the burden of SARS-CoV-2 in France

Effect of school closures on mortality from coronavirus disease 2019: old and new predictions

See Online for appendix