Learning Obedience from the Boundaries in NTT

Even though it is far from the epicenter of COVID-19, the behavior of residents of Malaka regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), deserves to be imitated. The residents on the border of Timor Leste adhere to health protocols

KOMPAS/FRANSISKUS PATI HERIN

A woman and her family, residents of Fatubesi Village, Sasitamean District, Malacca Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, obey the Covid-19 protocol, as observed on Wednesday (7/10/2020). In fact, there were no cases in that area and it is far from the epicenter of the spread of Covid-19.

The scorching day, with temperatures approaching 40 degrees Celsius, was simply ignored by Iba, 63. The woman walked along a dirt road in Fatubesi village in Sasitamean district, Malaka, on Wednesday (7/10/2020). Crossing a quiet road to return from a relative\'s house, Iba was wearing a mask.

"Umtau, Corona," said Iba when asked why she was wearing a mask, referring to the coronavirus. Umtau is a word in the regional language of Dawan which means "afraid".

The kampung of Fatubesi is located in the interior of Timor Island, about 256 kilometers from Kupang, the capital city of NTT. Until mid-September, Malaka was a green zone, with no confirmed COVID-19 cases. Its status then went to yellow when one citizen tested positive for the virus. The resident had just returned from Yogyakarta.

Also read: Lessons from Quarantine at Kampung Hitu

Being in an area that has a relatively low risk of COVID-19 transmission has not reduced Iba\'s vigilance. She continues to faithfully wear a mask, even when looking for firewood in the forest or washing clothes in the river.

It turns out that it is not only Iba. Residents of the villages around Fatubesi and Sasitamean in general comply with COVID-19 health protocols. They were seen wearing masks on the street or while shopping at the Kaputu traditional market, not far from Fatubesi.

KOMPAS/FRANSISKUS PATI HERIN

Two children playing around the Kaputu Traditional Market, Sasitamean District, Malacca Regency, East Nusa Tenggara. They comply with the Covid-19 protocol, as seen on Wednesday (7/10/2020).

The COVID-19 pandemic has indeed made residents worry. They keep monitoring the pandemic\'s development through the media or from information conveyed by word of mouth. Shortly after the first COVID-19 cases were detected in the country, local traditional elders held a ritual to banish the outbreak.

The bitter experience of an outbreak hitting a village has been passed down from generation to generation. No wonder they are alert when there is a potential for disease outbreaks that could claim lives.

Also read: Valuable Lessons from the Pandemic

"In the past there was a diarrhea and vomiting [outbreak]," said Margareta Muti, 75, one of the residents.

However, she forgot the exact date of the event, which claimed many lives.

Many people have died. It\'s no joke.

Local residents believe that outbreaks appear if the balance of nature is not maintained. They believe the COVID-19 outbreak is real, not engineered.

"Many people have died. It\'s no joke. There were even doctors and nurses [who died],” said Muti, who always wears a mask when she is outside the house.

In response to the situation, the local church has issued regulations supporting the enforcement of health protocols. At the start of the pandemic, religious services in churches were forbidden, but they have recently been reopened during the “new normal” phase.

KOMPAS/FRANSISKUS PATI HERIN

Members of the Sasitamean Police, Malacca Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, reminded residents of the Covid-19 protocol, Wednesday (7/10/2020). There are no cases found in that area and it is far from the epicenter of the spread of Covid-19.

The Catholic Church of Santo Yohanes Pemandi Kaputu, for example, sets limits on the number of people who can attend Mass. Before people enter the church, health workers check the body temperature of the churchgoers.

The same precautions prevail at the Church of Santa Maria Fatima in Betun, the capital city of Malaka. The seats in the church are spaced apart. There is no choir. The Communion ceremony, which usually lasts up to 1.5 hours, has been compressed to less than an hour.

The directive consists of a number of prohibitions, including that marriage ceremonies must not involve a choir.

Not only that, the Diocese of Atambua, which is in charge of the Malaka region, also issued a written appeal to emphasize the stance of the Catholic church in supporting the mitigation of COVID-19. Pastoral directive No. 145/2020 was signed by Bishop Atambua Monsignor Dominic Saku.

The directive consists of a number of prohibitions, including that marriage ceremonies must not involve a choir. The number of attendees is limited to a maximum of 50 people. What is the most emphasized is that after religious services in the church, church members are forbidden from holding thanksgiving or wedding receptions, either at home or in a hotel.

"If this provision is violated, the marriage is considered problematic from the start, and this has the potential to make the marriage invalid and the couple live in a sinful state," the letter reads.

KOMPAS/FRANSISKUS PATI HERIN

Two women who just bought household needs at the Kaputu Traditional Market, Sasitamean District, Malacca Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, wearing masks obey the Covid-19 protocol, Wednesday (7/10/2020). In fact, there were no cases in that area and it is far from the epicenter of the spread of Covid-19.

Anisia Funan, 60, a parent whose child married during the pandemic, said the church\'s recommendations were adhered to for the common good. Even though the wedding’s atmosphere was a bit stuffy without a party, she said, she realized that the most important thing was the ceremony at the church, not the reception.

Becoming a role model

Public obedience in carrying out COVID-19 protocols has had sweet results. So far, no COVID-19 cases have been found in the interior of Malacca regency. Since the start of the pandemic, two cases have been found in Malaka, precisely in Betun. However, the virus carried by the two travelers did not spread because residents adhered to health protocols.

The head of the Malaka Health Office, Paskalia F Fahik, hoped that the health protocols would be maintained. The residents were expected not to be bored, let alone indifferent, because of biased information that said the virus was not dangerous, he said. His party was not slack in disseminating information about the disease.

At the entrance to Malaka, either via the Trans-Timor road or the Kolbano crossing, health officers are on standby to check on travelers.

The most important thing is that all citizens are aware in implementing health protocols. The people of the interior part of Malaka should be role models. Indeed, they are very weak economically, have limited education and are far from the epicenter of transmission, but their awareness deserves a thumbs up and emulation.