The delegate of France would like to raise a motion,

BRIEF OF AGENDA (COVID-19)

COVID-19 is caused by a virus called SARS-CoV-2. It is part of the coronavirus family,
which include common viruses that cause a variety of diseases from head or chest colds to
more severe (but more rare) diseases like severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and
Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS).
The word corona means crown and refers to the appearance that coronaviruses get from
the spike proteins sticking out of them. These spike proteins are important to the biology
of this virus. The spike protein is the part of the virus that attaches to a human cell to
infect it, allowing it to replicate inside of the cell and spread to other cells. Some
antibodies can protect you from SARS-CoV-2 by targeting these spike proteins. Because of
the importance of this specific part of the virus, scientists who sequence the virus for
research constantly monitor mutations causing changes to the spike protein through a
process called genomic surveillance.
As genetic changes to the virus happen over time, the SARS-CoV-2 virus begins to form
genetic lineages. Just as a family has a family tree, the SARS-CoV-2 virus can be similarly
mapped out. Sometimes branches of that tree have different attributes that change how
fast the virus spreads, or the severity of illness it causes, or the effectiveness of treatments
against it. Scientists call the viruses with these changes “variants”. They are still SARS-
CoV-2, but may act differently.
Country's view on the agenda
The virus was confirmed to have reached France on 24 January 2020, when the first
COVID-19 case in both Europe and France was identified in Bordeaux. The first five
confirmed cases were all individuals who had recently arrived from China. A Chinese
tourist who was admitted to hospital in Paris on 28 January 2020, died on 14 February
2020, making it the first COVID-19 death in France as well as the first COVID-19 death
outside Asia. A key event in the spread of the disease across metropolitan France as well
as its overseas territories was the annual assembly of the Christian Open Door
Church between 17 and 24 February 2020 in Mulhouse which was attended by about
2,500 people, at least half of whom are believed to have contracted the virus. On 4 May
2020, retroactive testing of samples in one French hospital showed that a patient was
probably already infected with the virus on 27 December 2019, almost a month before the
first officially confirmed case.
Affect
 The pandemic brought into light structural weaknesses of the health system,
including its governance and decision-making process, but also provoked changes
that helped to improve its resilience.
 France has struggled to find the right balance between the rock of economic and
social damage caused by containment measures and the hard alternative of a rapidly
spreading pandemic.
 The COVID-19 pandemic in France has resulted in 3,02,41,832 confirmed cases of
COVID-19 and 1,49,175 deaths.
RESPONSE
 The response to the first wave, including a full lock-down, was an emergency
response that revealed the low level of preparedness for pandemics and the overly
hospital-centred provision of health care in France.
 During the second wave, this response evolved into a more level strategy trying to
reconcile health needs in a broader perspective integrating socio-economic
considerations, but without fully managing to put in place an effective health
strategy.
Economy
The French economy contracted substantially in the second quarter of 2020: GDP
fell by 13.8%, which was more than the eurozone average. In the first half of the
year, 715,000 jobs were lost, most of them in the last 2 weeks of March 2020. As in
other European countries, the government implemented specific measures to
support the economy and employees, and to avoid mass layoffs. From 24 March,
compensation schemes were provided for employees forced to stay home and
unable to telework, either because their enterprises had closed or because they had
to care for children under the age of 16.
Defence and International realations
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected international relations and caused diplomatic
tensions, as well as resulted in a United Nations Security Council resolution
demanding a global ceasefire.
Some scholars have argued that the pandemic necessitates a significant rethinking
of existing approaches to international relations, with a greater focus on issues such
as health diplomacy, the politics of crisis, and border politics. Others have argued
that the pandemic is unlikely to lead to significant changes in the international
system. Diplomatic relations have been affected due to tensions around trade and
transport of medicines, diagnostic tests, vaccines and hospital equipment related to
mitigating the impact of COVID-19. Leaders of some countries have accused others
of not containing the disease or responding effectively.

Management and Overcome of the health crisis was done by, Isolation, Restrictions
on movement, Closing Schools, Testing, Provision of health services for Covid-19,
Provision of health services for other patients, Economic measures and many more.