The alert community unit (RW) initiated by the Bekasi city administration in West Java has slowly boosted local’s awareness to adhere to health protocols.
By
Stefanus Ato
·4 minutes read
The alert community unit (RW) initiated by the Bekasi city administration in West Java has slowly boosted local’s awareness to adhere to health protocols. The concept has established urbanites’ solidarity against the outbreak.
Upon arriving at Jaha hamlet in RW 011, Jatimekar, Jatiasih, Bekasi, to return to work as a housemaid on August 15, 2020, 20-year-old SF was prohibited from entering her employer’s house. Instead, her employer gave her some money and told her to take a rapid test as she did not have a Covid-19 free statement letter after traveling to her hometown of Pekalongan, Central Java. SF then went to the nearest hospital to take the test. Her test result was reactive.
“There was an uproar. It was the first [reactive rapid test result] in our hamlet. Residents urged SF’s employer to kick her out,” Jatimekar subdistrict’s RW 011 head Samsudin Panji said in Jatimekar on Tuesday (25/8/2020).
Samsudin contacted the nearest community health center (Puskesmas) and SF was told to take a swab test. On 17 August, SF’s swab test result confirmed that she had Covid-19.
“I and local neighborhood unit [RT] heads then decided to rent rooms. One is for SF and another for the family with whom she stays. In total, we isolated four persons,” Samsudin said.
Along with local RT heads, Samsudin took money from his own pockets to rent two rooms at a total of Rp 1.5 million (US$102.6). “We took care of the isolation rooms. However, these people would need meals, drinks, vitamins and cell phone credit. This was a new problem,” he said.
On 25 August, two residents brought food for those undergoing self-isolation.
Fortunately, locals then donated money, rice and food needs. Some even offered space at their homes for isolation rooms. On 25 August, two residents brought food for those undergoing self-isolation.
“Please enjoy this. Keep your spirit up, do not get stressed and pray. No matter what help you need, please feel free to call us,” said Agus, 50, one of the two residents. One member of the isolated family works as a traveling shoe repairer. Despite having a nonreactive rapid test result, the person still underwent 14-day isolation. “He sacrificed his job to protect us. This is what we can do,” Agus said.
As the Bekasi city administration began its period of adapting to new habits in early June 2020, local solidarity was on the rise. Everyone returning from out of town is required to report to the RW management and showed a Covid-19-free statement letter. The RW management helped poor residents pay for tests.
“Or, we will contact the Puskesmas to facilitate testing. If they do not have testing equipment, the RW and RT management will take over. However, some residents are afraid. We require them to do self-isolation,” Samsudin said.
A campaign to remind one another to adhere to health protocols, maintain environmental hygiene and share during the hard times was also carried out in Rawa Bebek hamlet in Kota Baru, West Bekasi. In RW 010, the walls of residents’ homes in every narrow alleyway are painted with colorful murals.
The murals’ messages range from calls to use face masks, adhere to physical distancing measures, maintain health and drive away Covid-19 from the hamlet. Locals take care of everything on their own, including funding the project.
According to RW 010 head of Kota Baru, Ahmad Sofyan, Rawa Bebek hamlet began the beautification project in July 2020. The neighborhood was prone to floods and had various problems related to population density and being a slum. Covid-19 and Indonesia’s 75th anniversary commemoration were the turning points for the hamlet.
Through family planning hamlet and alert community unit programs, locals got creative in maintaining environmental hygiene. Hydroponic agriculture is carried out in narrow alleyways.
The blossoming independence was inseparable from the alert community unit program initiated by the Bekasi city administration. The Bekasi Police and 0507/Bekasi military district command (Kodim) are involved in overseeing the program.
The alert community unit program is divided into three categories, namely raising local awareness on adherence to health protocols, building food security and anticipating Covid-19-linked crimes in the local neighborhood.
The city administration prepares a prize of Rp 1 billion for the best community unit. “The winner of the alert community unit program will be announced in March 2021. Some 1,013 community units in 56 subdistricts are participating. This is no mere ceremonial as this will help boost adherence to health protocols and build food security,” Bekasi mayor Rahmat Effendi said.
Locals are responsible for managing and funding the alert community unit program. The aim is to boost a sense of togetherness. Covid-19 spread can only be curbed through collective awareness and action. Government intervention is required so that the program will be equitable and have maximum impact.