France Closes Schools Over Bedbug Outbreak

Facts

• French authorities have started taking several measures to contain the spread of bedbug infestations at a time when France is hosting the Rugby World Cup and readying to host the Olympics next year.¹
• On Friday, officials from the health, economy, and transport ministries held joint meetings at Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne's office to prepare a plan of action against the insects.²
• Later in the day, Gabriel Attal, France's Education Minister, said that at least seven schools had been ordered to shut down after 'bedbugs were detected at various levels' in 17 institutions.³
• Insisting that only a few dozen out of over 60K schools in France are currently affected, Attal said a list of 'approved and recognized' companies has been put together 'so that the heads of schools can have the contacts and have them intervene very quickly.'⁴
• Two of the seven schools were closed earlier this week — one in Marseille and the other in Villefranche-sur-Saone.⁵
• This comes after France's health minister assured the public that the country hasn't been 'invaded by bedbugs' despite reports of their 'widespread' rise.⁶

Sources: ¹Mirror, ²BBC News, ³Guardian, ⁴Abc.net.au, ⁵Le monde.fr and ⁶CNN.

Narratives

• Narrative A, as provided by France 24. Bedbugs have been increasingly present in France for two or three years, regularly peaking in the summer. While the reported surge of the blood-sucking insect is undoubtedly unwelcome, the French government is taking stock of the situation and strengthening measures to protect the public. French citizens shouldn't be too concerned about the latest flare-up.
• Narrative B, as provided by CBS. The hysteria around bedbugs is as real as the threat they pose. While the French government is in denial, many citizens are spending an average of $500 to have their homes treated for the tiny bugs. The country — battling an invasion of bedbugs just ten months before the opening of the 2024 Summer Olympics — can't stay calm.

Predictions