After Fighting Against Lust, They Have to Endure Missing Loved Ones

ARSIP SHAKARULLAH

Ambulance driver Shakarullah, 32, prays before starting work on Friday (22/5/2020) at Ratu Aji Putri Botung Hospital in Penajam Paser Utara regency, East Kalimantan.

Health workers and other people involved in the handling of the COVID-19 outbreak who continued working during Lebaran had to work even longer. After fighting temptation during the fasting month, now they have to pass a new test: waiting to meet their loved ones.

Since mid-March, Shakarullah, 32, has been part of the COVID-19 handling team at the Ratu Aji Putri Botung hospital in Penajam Paser Utara regency, East Kalimantan. From then on, he had to dedicate his time and energy to treating COVID-19 patients at Penajam Paser Utara.

As an ambulance driver, Shaka deals directly with people who have symptoms of COVID-19 or even those infected with the disease. Because there’s a limited number of health workers, he also often carries out other tasks in helping patients. In fact, Shaka could not fast because of his declining health.

I still live in a hostel because I am afraid of spreading the virus to people at home.

"I did not fast for two days due to diarrhea and fever. I had to take medication and eat regularly. I still live in a hostel because I am afraid of spreading the virus to people at home, " Shaka said from Balikpapan on Sunday (05/25/2020).

Also read : Celebrating Lebaran May Change but Not Its Meaning

During his first month on duty, he never went home because he had to work for 14 days and underwent quarantine in the hostel for another 14 days. During his nearly two months on duty, Shaka went home only once and stayed with the family for seven days.

During Lebaran this year, he could not meet his daughter and his parents.

"It was sad when seeing photos of friends being together with their families. Since the emergence of the COVID-19 outbreak, I can’t meet my family. Especially during Lebaran, I really missed them,” he said.

Also read: Celebrating Lebaran, the New Way

KOMPAS/SUCIPTO

Workers disinfect dozens of boxes containing PPE on Friday (24/4/2020) at Dhomber Air Base in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan.

Shaka even had to wait to meet his family until next week. He can go home if the results of the rapid tests conducted on him and his friends in the hostel are non-active. If the result is reactive, he must undergo self-quarantine for 14 days and take a second rapid test.

"So, the time to visit family depends also on the health of my friends in the hostel. Therefore, video calls became the best medicine when I miss my family,” he said.

Although he has been serving as an ambulance driver for five years, Shaka feels this year is the hardest ever. This year, he must go through strict procedures when picking up patients. One night, he had to pick up a patient in Balikpapan wearing complete personal protective equipment (PPE). Although the goggles he put on fogged up a little and the road lighting was quite low, he had to keep driving and transport the patient.

Also read : A Lebaran of Sacrifice

With sweat covering his entire body, he felt that the two-way trip, which took only two hours, was much longer.

In previous years, he left earlier. This year, he had to perform various quarantine procedures.

Awaludin, 32, a male nurse at a public health center (Puskesmas) in Sotek subdistrict, also had to refrain from meeting his wife and children. He tried his best not to come into direct contact with his wife who was seven months pregnant.

"The doctor allows me to go home, but I am worried because my wife is pregnant. So, I go home when my wife is not at home, "Awal said.

AWALUDIN UNTUK KOMPAS

Health workers examine a patient at a puskesmas (community health center) in Sotek village of Penajam district, Penajam Paser Utara regency, East Kalimantan.

Awal spends most of his time at the health center. During the fasting month, he only returned home three times. He has been on duty during Lebaran since 2011. However, this year, it was quite different because he could not see the development of his wife\'s pregnancy.

This year is also tougher for Awal. He does not only treat suspected COVID-19 patients in the Puskesmas but also to conduct health examinations at the Penajam Ferry Port. Practically, he has to make direct contact with people from many regions.

When there was a chance to go home, Awal immediately sprayed disinfectant on all the clothes he wore. He went straight to the bathroom and washed all his clothes. He also soaked with antibacterial soap.

After completing all the health protocol, he felt secure to interact with his wife and children.

We rely on community networks and hope that the donation can continue until the outbreak ends

Although it was more difficult this year to carry out their duties, they are grateful for the solidarity and assistance from the people who feel it is also their responsibility to fight against the virus.

The people came and give donations in the forms of personal protective equipment, food, vitamins and supplements. For example, young people grouped in Gembel study club sold T-shirts and part of the profits were used to buy PPEs. They sold 64 T-shirts and bought 20 PPEs that were distributed to Puskesmas.

"We rely on community networks and hope that the donation can continue until the outbreak ends," said Ahmad Fitriyadi M, 33, a member of Gembel.

KOMUNITAS GEMAR BELAJAR PENAJAM

The Gemar Belajar community produces T-shirts on Sunday (19/4/2020) in Penajam Paser Utara, East Kalimantan. The shirts are part of a fundraiser for puskesmas (community health centers) facing a shortage of PPE.

Such donations made people like Shaka and Awal feel stronger in carrying out their duties. Even though they often feel tired, with support from the community, they feel their hard work is more meaningful.

"Every time I go back to the hostel, there is always donation from the residents. We did not fight alone and that\'s what made me stronger, too," said Shaka.

Shaka hopes that the number of COVID-19 cases will soon decrease. He also wants the public not to underestimate the various health protocols recommended by the government. As of Wednesday (27/5/2020), the confirmed cases of COVID-19 in East Kalimantan reached a total of 277. Of the total, three people died, 152 people are under treatment and 122 people recovered.