By: Muhammad Yasin)*
The public is asked to be aware of the politicization of the increase in Covid-19 cases ahead of Ramadan. The increase in Covid-19 cases is purely due to the high mobility of citizens and the Omicron variant.
We’ve been through a pandemic for two years and are you getting tired of wearing masks or are you increasing keeping your distance and reducing mobility strictly? After a while, this condition makes you mentally tired because you don’t know when it will end. However, we must remain optimistic because if everything is disciplined in health protocols (prokes) and has been vaccinated, then herd immunity will quickly form and the pandemic can end.
The month of Ramadan will soon be approaching and rumors are starting to get out there, that there has always been an increase in Corona cases before the fasting month. Is there something behind it? This issue was immediately countered by a spokesman for the Ministry of Health’s special vaccination, dr. Siti Nadia Tarmizi. According to doctor Siti, there is no relationship between the increase in cases with matters of faith and holidays.
Doctor Siti added, in the last two years there had been a spike in Corona cases before Ramadan but the reason was that people continued the tradition of visiting graves. On average, the graves of their parents and ancestors are outside the city, so they go home before their time. This high community mobility has caused an increase in Corona cases.
This statement from doctor Siti denies the accusations made to the government and the Ministry of Health. There is no conspiracy or game behind the soaring number of Corona patients. Don’t think negative first, because the cause is clearly the increased mobility of citizens. The fault lies in people who are desperate to travel even though it is clear during the pandemic that is prone to Corona transmission when many are traveling long distances.
Especially if the increase in Corona cases before Ramadan is associated with a ban on going home. Indeed, in 2020 and 2021 there is a strict prohibition on going home and isolation everywhere. However, it is not certain that in 2022 there will be a ban on going home, because it depends on the Corona case in Indonesia. If it has decreased and the situation is confirmed to be safe, then the community can return to their village, as long as they comply with the health protocols.
We must remain patient and positive thinking, when the number of Corona patients rises, we must be stricter in carrying out health protocols. Don’t even blame the government because it should be an evaluation. The increase in Covid cases in Indonesia is due to the inclusion of the Omicron variant obtained from overseas transmissions, not on purpose.
So that before Ramadan there is no skyrocketing increase in Corona cases, everyone must remain disciplined in carrying out health protocols. Especially at the point of reducing mobility. It is indeed good to pray for deceased parents or grandparents, but prayers can be said anywhere. Don’t force yourself to go home with the aim of visiting the grave, because it’s still a very vulnerable pandemic period.
In addition, the government is constantly asking the public to keep wearing masks, even wearing a double mask with a disposable mask inside and a cloth mask on the outside. Don’t just wear a mask during raids, because masks must be used when outside the house, even just on the terrace.
The increase in Corona cases before Ramadan is not a health conspiracy but is the result of an increase in the mobility of people who are flocking to go home for nyekar. Don’t think negatively and associate it with government games. This increase occurred purely because of a violation of health protocols, not a made-up figure to later curb people’s freedom.
)* The author is a contributor to Pertiwi Institute
