(Picture: Getty) In the context of the COVID-19 epidemic showing signs of cooling down and vaccination rates increasing, many European countries continue to relax restrictions and reopen recreational activities. With the number of new COVID cases and hospitalizations continuing to decline in the country, allowing the Belgian government to continue with its “summer plan”, which includes the resumption of services in the hospitality sector and the organization of cultural events with a limited number of Limited quantity starting June 9. Belgium will also ease restrictions, allowing cafes and restaurants to serve indoors, as well as extending operating hours for businesses, easing restrictions on sports venues and cinemas. movies. Many Belgians expressed their joy as life gradually returned to normal: “I’ve been waiting for this for a long time. Eating out has a very special feeling. I’m tired of ordering food to take home or eat on my own. I cook.” The epidemic situation has shown signs of being controlled, the city of Munich, Germany on June 9 also dropped the requirement to wear masks in the city center. The warm weather caused many people to flock to the street for a walk. They are happy to be “liberated” from the mask to breathe fresh air. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron announced a new step forward on June 9, when French people can enjoy meals, as well as outdoor activities until 11pm. As planned, France will completely lift the night curfew on June 30. However, most French people will still have to wear masks when outdoors.

Recently, the international media has reported very boldly that France has chosen the “standard material” to rebuild the completely damaged dome, arrow tower and bell tower of Notre Dame . This can be considered as one of the most happy signals because the fire disaster of Notre Dame took place on April 15, 2019 has caused not only the French people but the whole world in shock and pain. Accordingly, about 1,000 old oak trees in more than 200 public and private forests were cut down at the end of March. “Oak trees will be selected from all parts of France,” said Jean-Louis Georgelin, former Chief of Staff of the French Army assigned to the special agency to oversee the repair of Notre Dame . This is a country-wide project. The restoration will ensure the building can stand for at least 8 to 10 centuries ”. To take such practical steps, the French government had to go through many challenges from recruiting experts, finding restoration materials and listening to people’s reactions. In July 2020, in the context of fierce public opposition, French President Emmanuel Macron had to reject the idea that the bell tower designed by Eugène Viollet le Duc could be rebuilt in concrete to limit dust. radioactivity, if unfortunately there is a fire. After that, Mr. Macron announced, Notre Dame will be rebuilt like before. And this kicked off the hunt for woods across France, culminating in a thorough selection in January and February. According to experts, the reconstruction of Notre Dame in wood is a difficult prospect because inside this ancient building is a “network of complex wooden beams”. Specifically, 52 acres of forest wood were cut in the twelfth century to erect the church’s roof and each beam was made from a tree trunk. However, Mr. Jean-Louis Georgelin asserted: “This is historical responsibility. If everyone gets to work together and everything is well planned, bringing the church back in within the next five years will not be an impossible feat. ” Expected, Notre Dame will begin to be restored in the fall of 2022. Source: Reuters. In order to race against time and limit errors, the Notre Dame restoration specialists had to work very seriously and meticulously. This is reflected in the first stage including the selection and processing of wood. The oaks with this historic mission must meet the standards of quality and outstanding metrics, such as the trunk must be more than 1 meter in diameter and have a minimum length of 18 meters. In addition, they must be “harvested” by the end of March to avoid more sap production and wet weather that can degrade the quality of the wood. In particular, the “soul” of Notre Dame including the bell tower and the 93-meter-high arrow-top will be reconstructed with eight oak trees cut from the royal forest of Bercé, which once belonged to the French kings. When examining a series of oak trees over 200 years old in the Bercé forest, Aymeric Albert, Commercial Director of the French Forestry Commission, commented: “The trunks here are in excellent condition, without any any defect. They are large enough to be 18m long beams, the length needed if you want to bear the weight of the sharp tower. It is known that the oak trunks in the Bercé forest cost about 15,000 euros / stem, and will be dried for 12 to 18 months before proceeding with further treatment. In addition, after the planned timber is cut, the forest rangers will plant seedlings to replant the new trees. It is expected that the restoration of Notre Dame will start in the autumn of 2022 and be completed in April 2024. The mission of solidarity The Church has always been at the center of social change, Insider said. This may not be “always true” but is extremely accurate in the case of France. Immediately after President Emmanuel Macron announced a fundraising campaign to rebuild Notre Dame, many individuals and organizations in France and around the world voiced their support both financially as well as participating in the restoration of architecture. . Just two days after the fire, the fund’s donation exceeded a billion dollars. This is also the estimated cost to restore Notre Dame in the most aesthetic and quality way. This fact shows that, at that time, France, a people more divided than ever since World War II due to the many months of “Golden Vest” protests, became should unite in a common mission. Michel Druilhe, President of the French forest network France Bois Forêt said: “As the largest cathedral in the heart of France with a long history in the world, we are very pleased with the staff in the forestry sector. Industry, from the woodcutter to the sawmakers, was mobilized to join hands in rebuilding Notre Dame. This is a very meaningful job ”. President Macron also declared: “It is up to us to turn this terrible disaster into unanimous opportunity … This is not the time for politics”. Back at the time of the fire at Notre Dame, according to a statement from the French Government, the fire happened at around 6:50 a.m. on April 15, 2019 local time (23h50 ‘on April 15, 2019, Hanoi time. ) at the top of the tower, then spread to the entire roof of the church. Disaster caused the bell tower to collapse, and devastate the roof of this famous Gothic-style building. However, things could have gotten worse and Notre Dame could have been completely burned down if the Paris firefighters arrived 15-30 minutes later. Precious items include the Crown of Thorns – believed to have been worn on Jesus’ head during the events that led to his crucifixion; The Le Grand Orgue – a musical instrument dating back to the 1730s and the XIII century robe of Saint Louis were both saved from the fire. Obviously, if the fire and bravery of the firefighters were able to prevent a more horrifying disaster for this project, at present, the consensus and efforts of the government, the people as well as French architects and experts bring hope for a Notre Dame of cohesion and peace. Affordable, in the future, the pricelessness of Notre Dame will be “redefined” by the solidarity of everyone !? Notre Dame Cathedral Paris Notre Dame is located on the island of Cite in the middle of the Seine in the center of Paris. This special geographical location has made Notre Dam become a historical symbol, associated with the formation and development of Paris. In 1163, the first stone was placed in the presence of Pope Alexander III and King Louis VI. The construction of Notre Dame Cathedral in Gothic style lasted until 1345 with the participation of many famous architects at that time such as Jean de Chelles, Pierre de Montreuil, Pierre de Chelles, Jean Ravy and Jean. le Bouteiller. Notre Dame witnessed the coronation of King Henry VI in 1431, the coronation of Emperor Napoleon in 1804, and the canonization of the French heroine Joan of Arc in 1909, presided over by Pope Pius X. Funerals of the two late French Presidents Charles de Gaulle and Francois Mitterand also took place at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. It is known that Notre Dame was the place with the highest chop in Paris until the completion of the Eiffel Tower in 1889. According to the BBC, there are no other landmarks that represent France in a separate and unique way like Notre Dame. Maybe you don’t know? The flag of the National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam once flew at the top of the bell tower of the Notre Dame Cathedral. It happened on the night of January 19, 1969, the day before Richard Nixon was sworn in as the 37th President of the United States and six days before the opening of the Paris four-way conference, negotiating peace in Vietnam. It is known that French police had to mobilize helicopters to remove the flag. There hasn’t been any official source yet to confirm who hung the flag. However, this can be considered as one of the special images throughout the 9-century history of this architecture.

Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France during post-fire restoration. Photo: THX / TTXVN

He also emphasized the need to continue to mobilize all efforts in the next three years to meet the government’s target of restoring this over 800-year-old symbol of France within 5 years.
President Macron made the above statement when visiting the Notre-Dame Cathedral exactly two years after the fire at this historic site. The French leader assessed that the restoration of the church had achieved great progress.

Jean-Louis Georgelin, who was chosen by President Macron to direct the restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral, said although the church will be reopened for devotees to pray in April 2024. but there is still a need to continue restoration work thereafter. This reconstruction effort received financial support of approximately 833 million euros (991 million USD) through donation campaigns in France and around the world.

Regarding the investigation of the cause of the fire, investigators have found several weaknesses in the safety system, especially in the alarm system and in the electrical system of a church lift. .

The fire at Notre Dame on April 15, 2019 lasted for up to 15 hours, collapsed the tower and burned a part of the roof of this historic site. President Macron has pledged to rebuild the church within five years, meaning it will open its doors to visitors when Paris is the host city of the 2024 Summer Olympics.

For nearly 9 centuries, Notre Dame Cathedral has been standing in the middle of the Ile de la Cite island on the romantic Seine river, witnessing the ups and downs of French history, becoming an endless inspiration for poetry and music. illustrates and welcomes millions of visitors each year.

People wear masks to prevent the COVID-19 epidemic in Paris, France. Photo: THX / TTXVN

Experts note that the confusion about airborne viral transmission has led to this simple measure being overlooked.

In the BMJ medical paper bowl, the authors, including expert Julian Tang from the University of Leicester and expert Linxey Marr from the University of Virginia Technology, indicated the likelihood of the virus spreading through inhalation at close range This is higher than through exposure to or breathing at a long distance. But airborne transmission is “only mentioned through loudspeaker in a few translation control guidelines”.

Part of the problem, experts emphasize, is that the definition of “droplet” and “airborne” is not yet clear when describing how the virus is spread,

The BMJ article states that careful measures like wearing a mask, keeping distance and reducing crowds in enclosed spaces all help prevent the spread of the virus. But experts stressed the need to add ventilation equipment because small suspended particles can remain in the air for hours and this is an important pathway of disease transmission.

Last March, the World Health Organization (WHO) also released a guide to epidemic prevention, which recommends creating better ventilation in buildings.

• On the same day, French President Emmanuel Macron on April 14 announced that France would provide free psychotherapy for children and adolescents who have suffered psychological harm due to the effects of COVID-19 epidemic.

Speaking during a visit to a psychotherapy facility in the city of Reims, President Macron said France’s social security system would reimburse a total of 10 psychotherapy sessions with a specialist for children from 3 – 17 years old.

After meeting with patients and psychologists at the facility, Mr. Macron said that France is currently having a medical problem affecting children and adolescents in addition to the COVID-19 pandemic. Cases of anxiety and other psychological problems have increased among young people to the extent that they were not seen in the first blockade last year.

Currently, France is implementing a third national blockade to prevent COVID-19 epidemic, but the measures are not as strong as the previous two waves. Schools remain open for a longer period than their European neighbors, although France has now extended the Spring break to halt the epidemic.