Paris doctor on equipment shortages, tough choices

A spokesperson for the French Emergency Doctors Association on Tuesday said France's healthcare system is too poorly equipped to ensure the safe treatment of patients during the coronavirus outbreak.

"We don't have enough masks, not enough protective equipment, by the end of the week we might be in need of more medication too," said Dr. Christophe Prudhomme, who works for SAMU, the emergency services system in Paris' northern suburbs.

"We are taking risks while we are not protected as much as we should be," Prudhomme said.

His comments came as French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday visited a protective mask factory and announced he would

inject 4 billion euros (USD 4.47 billion / GBP 3.6 billion) into the National Public Health organisation to place "orders for masks, respirators and medicines".

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.