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How an Invisible Foe Slipped Aboard a French Navy Ship How an Invisible Foe Slipped Aboard a French Navy Ship
(about 4 hours later)
PARIS — In January, France’s prime minister addressed sailors aboard the country’s only aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, and extolled the vessel as a crown jewel in the country.PARIS — In January, France’s prime minister addressed sailors aboard the country’s only aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, and extolled the vessel as a crown jewel in the country.
“Rest assured that France is watching you and that it is proud of you,” Prime Minister Édouard Philippe said as the carrier was leaving on a new mission in the Mediterranean.“Rest assured that France is watching you and that it is proud of you,” Prime Minister Édouard Philippe said as the carrier was leaving on a new mission in the Mediterranean.
Three months later, pride has given way to finger-pointing and investigations after a coronavirus outbreak spread through the carrier’s cramped, closed quarters, infecting more than 1,000 crew members, forcing the navy to cut the mission short and sending hundreds of sailors into isolation on military bases across France.Three months later, pride has given way to finger-pointing and investigations after a coronavirus outbreak spread through the carrier’s cramped, closed quarters, infecting more than 1,000 crew members, forcing the navy to cut the mission short and sending hundreds of sailors into isolation on military bases across France.
One of the infected sailors is in intensive care, and about half are asymptomatic, making the infections difficult to detect without tests. But the abruptness of the outbreak has led to accusations that the navy played down or mishandled the crisis aboard.One of the infected sailors is in intensive care, and about half are asymptomatic, making the infections difficult to detect without tests. But the abruptness of the outbreak has led to accusations that the navy played down or mishandled the crisis aboard.
The outbreak has left many in France wondering how the ship — named after a revered president whose push for military independence is still felt — fell prey to the virus so swiftly and extensively. The French navy says it did its best to handle a fast-moving outbreak in the carrier while it was at sea. The outbreak has left many in France wondering how the ship — named after a revered president whose push for military independence is still felt — fell prey to the virus so swiftly and extensively. The French Navy says it did its best to handle a fast-moving outbreak in the carrier while it was at sea.
Capt. Éric Lavault, a French navy spokesman, acknowledged, “Mistakes were made, of course, but out of ignorance of the virus, and that is not specific to the aircraft carrier.” Capt. Éric Lavault, a French Navy spokesman, acknowledged, “Mistakes were made, of course, but out of ignorance of the virus, and that is not specific to the aircraft carrier.”
But there are signs that the vessel was insufficiently prepared for a pandemic that had already laid waste to passengers on several cruise ships around the world. The navy vessel had no masks until late into its mission, and the ship’s command relaxed social distancing rules at a critical point, officials later acknowledged.But there are signs that the vessel was insufficiently prepared for a pandemic that had already laid waste to passengers on several cruise ships around the world. The navy vessel had no masks until late into its mission, and the ship’s command relaxed social distancing rules at a critical point, officials later acknowledged.
Crucially, military officials now say, restrictions for the crew may have been too lax during a mid-March stop in Brest, on the Atlantic Coast, where sailors were allowed to go ashore, meet family and visit restaurants and shops. That was right before France went into full lockdown, as the number of deaths and cases tied to the virus was still low. But it was after President Emmanuel Macron had called the epidemic France’s “most serious health crisis in a century” and the authorities had already banned large gatherings and insisted on social distancing.Crucially, military officials now say, restrictions for the crew may have been too lax during a mid-March stop in Brest, on the Atlantic Coast, where sailors were allowed to go ashore, meet family and visit restaurants and shops. That was right before France went into full lockdown, as the number of deaths and cases tied to the virus was still low. But it was after President Emmanuel Macron had called the epidemic France’s “most serious health crisis in a century” and the authorities had already banned large gatherings and insisted on social distancing.
In rare news media appearances over the weekend, Gen. François Lecointre, the French military chief of staff, acknowledged the criticism. He told France Inter radio on Sunday that the military thought the contamination had probably occurred during the stop in Brest.In rare news media appearances over the weekend, Gen. François Lecointre, the French military chief of staff, acknowledged the criticism. He told France Inter radio on Sunday that the military thought the contamination had probably occurred during the stop in Brest.
“I don’t think that these rules, knowing what we know now, were sufficient” to ensure that sailors wouldn’t bring the virus back aboard, General Lecointre also told the broadcaster TF1. “The health of our men is the greatest good that we have,” he said, adding that an “essential and symbolic” military tool was now unusable.“I don’t think that these rules, knowing what we know now, were sufficient” to ensure that sailors wouldn’t bring the virus back aboard, General Lecointre also told the broadcaster TF1. “The health of our men is the greatest good that we have,” he said, adding that an “essential and symbolic” military tool was now unusable.
“We have to restore this capability as quickly as possible, because it’s a vulnerability,” he said.“We have to restore this capability as quickly as possible, because it’s a vulnerability,” he said.
The Defense Ministry has ordered an internal and an epidemiological investigation, with preliminary conclusions expected in several weeks.The Defense Ministry has ordered an internal and an epidemiological investigation, with preliminary conclusions expected in several weeks.
More than 2,000 tests carried out among the 2,300 sailors in the carrier’s naval group, which includes support vessels like a frigate and a refueling ship, found 1,081 infected crew members. Almost all were from the Charles de Gaulle, representing nearly 60 percent of its 1,746 crew members.More than 2,000 tests carried out among the 2,300 sailors in the carrier’s naval group, which includes support vessels like a frigate and a refueling ship, found 1,081 infected crew members. Almost all were from the Charles de Gaulle, representing nearly 60 percent of its 1,746 crew members.
The episode has left relatives of the crew members reeling and many questions unanswered.The episode has left relatives of the crew members reeling and many questions unanswered.
Célyne Flandrin, 29, who is married to one of the infected sailors, said in a telephone interview on Saturday: “I had been telling everybody, ‘I’m reassured, he’s in the middle of the ocean. At least he won’t get sick and I won’t be worried.’ I was kind of surprised.”Célyne Flandrin, 29, who is married to one of the infected sailors, said in a telephone interview on Saturday: “I had been telling everybody, ‘I’m reassured, he’s in the middle of the ocean. At least he won’t get sick and I won’t be worried.’ I was kind of surprised.”
Ms. Flandrin, who lives in Toulon, the carrier’s home port, said that when her husband called after the ship returned to France last weekend, he had a cough and a sore throat. He tested positive after being hospitalized, but his health has improved and he is now in isolation on a navy base, she said.Ms. Flandrin, who lives in Toulon, the carrier’s home port, said that when her husband called after the ship returned to France last weekend, he had a cough and a sore throat. He tested positive after being hospitalized, but his health has improved and he is now in isolation on a navy base, she said.
“It’s scary, when you see the damage that it can do,” Ms. Flandrin said of the virus.“It’s scary, when you see the damage that it can do,” Ms. Flandrin said of the virus.
France is not the only country dealing with an outbreak of Covid-19, the disease caused by the virus, on one of its ships. An American sailor has died and hundreds more were infected as the virus spread on the Theodore Roosevelt, another nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.France is not the only country dealing with an outbreak of Covid-19, the disease caused by the virus, on one of its ships. An American sailor has died and hundreds more were infected as the virus spread on the Theodore Roosevelt, another nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.
But the United States has 11 fleet carriers, and France has just one — still more than most countries. The Charles de Gaulle, first sent into operation in 2001 and expected to be retired in 2040, plays a crucial role in France’s nuclear deterrence because it can launch Rafale fighter jets bearing nuclear warheads.But the United States has 11 fleet carriers, and France has just one — still more than most countries. The Charles de Gaulle, first sent into operation in 2001 and expected to be retired in 2040, plays a crucial role in France’s nuclear deterrence because it can launch Rafale fighter jets bearing nuclear warheads.
“The Charles de Gaulle is a vessel that has a certain aura because of its name, price tag, importance and role, and also because there is only one,” said Hugo Decis, an analyst who specializes in naval affairs at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London.“The Charles de Gaulle is a vessel that has a certain aura because of its name, price tag, importance and role, and also because there is only one,” said Hugo Decis, an analyst who specializes in naval affairs at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London.
When the Charles de Gaulle undergoes extensive renovations as it did in 2017 and 2018, or unexpected crises like the Covid-19 outbreak, France has no fallback options, Mr. Decis said. When the Charles de Gaulle undergoes extensive renovations, as it did in 2017 and 2018, or unexpected crises like the Covid-19 outbreak, France has no fallback options, Mr. Decis said.
The Charles de Gaulle left Toulon for the eastern Mediterranean in late January to take part in military operations against the Islamic State before making its way to the Atlantic and the North Sea, where it was scheduled to participate in multinational naval drills.The Charles de Gaulle left Toulon for the eastern Mediterranean in late January to take part in military operations against the Islamic State before making its way to the Atlantic and the North Sea, where it was scheduled to participate in multinational naval drills.
Captain Lavault said that because of the cold in that area, doctors in the ship’s infirmary were not surprised to see 15 to 20 sailors with symptoms like coughing every day, and the number of sick crew members at the time was not out of the ordinary.Captain Lavault said that because of the cold in that area, doctors in the ship’s infirmary were not surprised to see 15 to 20 sailors with symptoms like coughing every day, and the number of sick crew members at the time was not out of the ordinary.
“What alerted the commander was that starting on April 5, he witnessed a sudden, exponential increase in the number of people coming to the infirmary and showing characteristic signs of Covid-19,” Captain Lavault said.“What alerted the commander was that starting on April 5, he witnessed a sudden, exponential increase in the number of people coming to the infirmary and showing characteristic signs of Covid-19,” Captain Lavault said.
Medical scans of two sailors were sent to military hospitals in France for analysis, which found signs of the coronavirus.Medical scans of two sailors were sent to military hospitals in France for analysis, which found signs of the coronavirus.
Defense Minister Florence Parly told lawmakers in a video hearing on Friday that she had quickly decided to cut the mission short by several weeks after navy officials told her about the possible cases onboard.Defense Minister Florence Parly told lawmakers in a video hearing on Friday that she had quickly decided to cut the mission short by several weeks after navy officials told her about the possible cases onboard.
“It’s an issue that keeps me up at night,” Ms. Parly said.“It’s an issue that keeps me up at night,” Ms. Parly said.
It is unclear when the virus arrived on the ship, which also stopped in Cyprus in February. The main hypothesis is that it came aboard during the stop in Brest, which occurred at a critical point.It is unclear when the virus arrived on the ship, which also stopped in Cyprus in February. The main hypothesis is that it came aboard during the stop in Brest, which occurred at a critical point.
When the ship arrived on the evening of March 13, gatherings of more than 100 people had been banned and Mr. Macron had just announced that schools would shut down. But businesses were still open, and the country was about to go to the polls for municipal elections.When the ship arrived on the evening of March 13, gatherings of more than 100 people had been banned and Mr. Macron had just announced that schools would shut down. But businesses were still open, and the country was about to go to the polls for municipal elections.
By the time the ship left on the morning of March 16, with 52 new crew members, the government had ordered restaurants, movie theaters and other venues closed, and later that evening, in a televised address, Mr. Macron announced strict countrywide confinement measures.By the time the ship left on the morning of March 16, with 52 new crew members, the government had ordered restaurants, movie theaters and other venues closed, and later that evening, in a televised address, Mr. Macron announced strict countrywide confinement measures.
While in Brest, the ship’s captain, Guillaume Pinget, canceled traditional family visits onboard, but sailors were authorized to disembark — like Ms. Flandrin’s husband, who joined her after she flew to Brest and spent time with her and other crew members in restaurants, bars and shops, she said.While in Brest, the ship’s captain, Guillaume Pinget, canceled traditional family visits onboard, but sailors were authorized to disembark — like Ms. Flandrin’s husband, who joined her after she flew to Brest and spent time with her and other crew members in restaurants, bars and shops, she said.
General Lecointre said on Sunday that officials had considered canceling the trip to Brest but that it was an important logistical stop. Sailors were ordered to comply with social distancing guidelines and to stay away from night clubs and gatherings of over 50 people.General Lecointre said on Sunday that officials had considered canceling the trip to Brest but that it was an important logistical stop. Sailors were ordered to comply with social distancing guidelines and to stay away from night clubs and gatherings of over 50 people.
Critics say that wasn’t enough.Critics say that wasn’t enough.
“How is it possible that our only aircraft carrier, of major strategic importance for France, went back to sea without a prior assessment of the risks that it carried after the sailors mingled with residents of Brest and saw their families?” Alexis Corbière, a lawmaker for the far-left France Unbowed party, told Franceinfo radio on Friday.“How is it possible that our only aircraft carrier, of major strategic importance for France, went back to sea without a prior assessment of the risks that it carried after the sailors mingled with residents of Brest and saw their families?” Alexis Corbière, a lawmaker for the far-left France Unbowed party, told Franceinfo radio on Friday.
After the ship left Brest, the captain canceled some daily functions and briefings and shut social gathering areas, according to the navy spokesman. Seating in cafeterias, for instance, was spaced out.After the ship left Brest, the captain canceled some daily functions and briefings and shut social gathering areas, according to the navy spokesman. Seating in cafeterias, for instance, was spaced out.
But after 14 days and no visible coronavirus cases, the captain, thinking that the vessel was in the clear, loosened some of those restrictions.But after 14 days and no visible coronavirus cases, the captain, thinking that the vessel was in the clear, loosened some of those restrictions.
Like most of France, the ship faced a mask shortage, Captain Lavault said, noting that there were none onboard until it stopped in Denmark in late March, when tens of thousands of masks were brought on.Like most of France, the ship faced a mask shortage, Captain Lavault said, noting that there were none onboard until it stopped in Denmark in late March, when tens of thousands of masks were brought on.
Adm. Christophe Prazuck, the head of the French navy, said on Saturday that the measures onboard were “obviously circumvented” by a “stealthy, insidious virus” and that “we must understand what happened.” Adm. Christophe Prazuck, the head of the French Navy, said on Saturday that the measures onboard were “obviously circumvented” by a “stealthy, insidious virus” and that “we must understand what happened.”
“Where they badly designed?” Admiral Prazuck told Europe 1 radio. “Were they badly applied? Were they badly verified? Or did the virus bypass it all?”“Where they badly designed?” Admiral Prazuck told Europe 1 radio. “Were they badly applied? Were they badly verified? Or did the virus bypass it all?”