Eiffel Tower says "Merci" to health personnel fighting virus
Health workers racing to save lots of lives as France contends with among the world's worst coronavirus outbreaks have received an enormous show of gratitude by using the Eiffel Tower.
The Paris landmark also had a note for the broader French public: Stay home.
Lights spelled out "Merci," French for 'Thank you," and "Stay in the home" in English on Friday night along with the tower's famous sparkling illuminations.
The display of solidarity that started at 8 p.m. (1900 GMT) coincided with as soon as when citizens in lockdown across France have already been cheering and applauding from their windows and balconies to get doctors and nurses.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said the light show will need place every evening on the 324-meter-tall tower.
French hospitals recorded practically 2,000 virus-related deaths by Friday, a figure it doesn't include COVID-19 cases elsewhere. Health personnel are straining to take care of an ever-increasing number of patients, including almost 3,800 in intensive care.
For many people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as for example fever and cough that clear up in 2-3 weeks. For a few, especially older adults and persons with existing health problems, it could cause more extreme illness, including pneumonia, and death.
In neighboring Switzerland, authorities are also lighting up one of the nation's landmarks, the Matterhorn.
Nightly from sundown until 11 p.m., light artist Gerry Hofstetter is splashing the Alpine peak with words and images of encouragement and inspiration.
Images on the snow-capped summit have demonstrated a heart, the Swiss flag, "Hope" and "#stayhome."
