Coming in first in the first round of the municipal elections, Ariel Weil continues to manage the affairs of the 1th arrondissement from his home where he is, like everyone else, confined.
How is the XNUMXth arrondissement mayor’s day going?
I am confined, that does not stop me from working. My days start at eight o'clock with breakfast with my children and I leave the tunnel at seven o'clock.
I asked my entire office to telework. Everyone is super mobilized. We have a daily meeting and we talk to each other by email and messaging non-stop.
The mayor of Paris has set up a very efficient, almost military organization. We speak every day, with the mayors and deputies, to centralize information and report problems.
Then, I organize myself with local stakeholders, administrative services, associative partners and local elected officials whom I consult and keep regularly informed.
Initially, aid to the homeless suffered a sudden decline, with volunteers, often elderly, no longer able to keep up and the problem of the shortage of masks remaining very problematic.
But thanks to the devotion of those responsible and the mobilized power of the City, we are in the process of rebuilding this network, as evidenced for example by the opening of large meal distribution points throughout Paris, and in particular at Carreau du Temple for the center.
On a personal level, how are you experiencing this period?
I don't have time to homeschool my thirteen, eleven and seven year olds. But my wife has taken care of it until now.
I'm going to organize myself to do my part this week. Even if the internet tools which were not calibrated for massive connections had some difficulty getting started, I find the commitment of both teachers and medical services absolutely remarkable.
Likewise, the mobilization of volunteers and public service agents is impressive.
Your advice to your fellow citizens?
I urge everyone to stay at home and follow the instructions. The subject is to avoid a peak in hospitals so as not to disrupt the health system, as has happened in other countries.
How do you see the post-crisis period?
Nothing will be the same as before. It is not normal for the public hospital to be weakened as it has been in recent years. The question of public service will be one of the major post-crisis debates.
