Don\'t be Euphoric, Stay Disciplined

Kompas/Priyombodo

Civil Service Police Unit officers remind motorcyclists to wear masks in the Covid-19 Protocol Operation on Jalan Ciledug Raya, Kebayoran Lama, Jakarta, September 25, 2020.

It has been eight months since the Covid-19 pandemic hit Indonesia and there are no signs of when it will end. Self-discipline is the key word in facing a pandemic.

Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan has relaxed the large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) to a transitional PSBB, starting Monday, 12 October 2020, until 26 October 2020. Studies from the Jakarta Provincial Administration show that epidemiologically there has been a slowdown in the increase of Covid-19 transmission in Jakarta. The average mortality rate in the last two weeks was also been on a downward trend. This achievement deserves appreciation.

Also read: Encouraging Mass Testing

However, we hope the relaxation of social restrictions in Jakarta does not turn into euphoria. Never assume the threat of Covid-19 has subsided. Moreover, mass demonstrations against the passing of the Job Creation Law are still taking place in the capital and in a number of regions. The campaigns as part of the simultaneous regional head election (Pilkada) are still being held in 270 regions. These mass gatherings have the potential to increase the spread of Covid-19 again. The demonstration against the Job Creation Law occurred due to the lack of wisdom of the House of Representatives (DPR) in passing the controversial bill during the pandemic.

The threat of Covid-19 is still real! In an epidemiological study, the data on the effective reproduction number (Rt) stood at 1.07, down from 1.14 in the previous period. Jakarta is still an area of moderate risk. Previously, Jakarta was considered a high risk area.

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KOMPAS/RADITYA HELABUMI

A woman passes by a wall mural reminding people to wear masks and observer physical distancing in an alley in Krendang, West Jakarta, Monday (31/8/2020). Public compliance with the Covid-19 health protocol is key to reducing community transmission.

Jakarta is a province with the largest number of Covid-19 cases. Based on data as of Monday, 12 October 2020, the number of people confirmed cases in Jakarta was 86,963 people (26.1 percent). The high number of Covid-19 cases in Jakarta is, of course, in line with the massive testing in Jakarta, be they the tests based on contact tracing and the self-initiated tests. In the 3-9 October 2020 period, as many as 63,474 people have conducted PCR tests in Jakarta. That figure is equal to 6 per 1,000 people in one week. Much higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) standards.

Because the threat of Covid-19 is still real, people’s discipline to follow health protocols -- wearing masks, maintaining physical distance and washing hands with soap – is very important. It is time for the people to protect themselves and their families so as not to be exposed to Covid-19. It is necessary to raise awareness among fellow citizens to remind each other, care and protect themselves.

Also read: Don’t Just Rely on Vaccination

The right to health and the right to life is more valuable than the right to vote in the regional head elections, for example. In connection with the transitional phase of PSBB in Jakarta, companies must also take responsibility for ensuring that health protocols are adhered to in the corporate environment, including in public spaces.

On the other hand, the government must also make efforts to ensure that testing, contact tracing and treatment of residents exposed to Covid-19 (3T) are carried out as keys to break the chain of Covid-19 transmission. The government also needs to be more sensible and wiser by not provoking the people to hold mass gathering to protest against the Job Creation Law.