Entering Transition With Caution

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO (KUM)

A resident is still wearing a mask to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

The decision to ease the requirement to wear face masks outdoors should be given a cautious response. Although transmission has been under control, the virus remains widespread everywhere.

We feel grateful that the nerve-racking periods are over. In Indonesia on Wednesday (18/5/2022), only 247 confirmed cases of Covid-19 were left. Just compare that to the time when cases were peaking, such as in February (17/2/2022), reaching 64,718 new cases per day. The death rate has also drastically decreased.

Compare this also to Japan, for instance, which on Wednesday still recorded an increase of 33,734 confirmed cases, or Australia with 56,259 cases on the same day. In the world, the highest surge in cases is still recorded in North Korea, totaling 232,890.

The application of health protocols, improvement of health personnel and healthcare management, as well as vaccinations, have proven to play a significant role in controlling Covid-19.

It is only proper for us to appreciate the steps taken by the government during the pandemic over the last two years, which have in general succeeded in saving the population from a worsening situation. The application of health protocols, improvement of health personnel and healthcare management, as well as vaccinations, have proven to play a significant role in controlling Covid-19. Peduli Lindungi, an application required to travel and enter public spaces, has become an important element in the implementation of sanctions and incentives.

The latest data on vaccination (8/5/2022) indicates that first-dose coverage was at 95.65 percent, second dose 79.54 percent and third dose 19.95 percent. Theoretically, herd immunity has been accomplished. In this way, can the easing of restrictions be applicable?

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As we are aware, the declining level of virulence is one of the considerations for shifting the pandemic emergency status to an endemic, besides vaccination coverage, handling and treatment management, and the preparedness of society. In statistical terms, the first three have fulfilled easing requirements. What about public preparedness?

KOMPAS

President Joko Widodo allows people to take off masks in open spaces

As soon as the Idul Fitri homebound exodus was permitted after the two-year pandemic, a survey of the Transportation Ministry’s Research and Development Agency showed that the number of homebound travelers to celebrate reached 85.5 million people. It was far larger than that during 2019 Idul Fitri with 34 million people. Up to this moment, not all homebound travelers have returned to their places of activity. Therefore, monitoring is needed so that we won’t be caught in trouble unawares.

In other countries, Australia for example, taking off one’s face mask is allowed. In reality, the number of cases remains high. In Indonesia, we realize that a lot of people are unaware, negligent or don’t care. Making them accustomed to wearing masks in the early phases of the pandemic was indeed difficult. For this reason, the policy to drop the mask mandate, only outdoors notwithstanding, should not create the problem of another spike in cases that we never expect to happen.

Now we are entering a post-pandemic new normal order. Why can’t the good practice of health protocols just continue? Isn’t wearing face masks good for our health, whatever virus strain there may be?

In brief, we need to be cautious in the transition period. Avoid hasty actions, even though we all are exhausted. It’s better than to lose what we have painstakingly strived for.

(This article was translated by Aris Prawira).