By: Deni Andriyana)*
It is hoped that the decline in PPKM levels in various regions will not make us complacent. Please continue to obey the health protocols because the pandemic period is not over yet.
The years 2020 and 2021 are like disasters because the whole world is hit by a pandemic. The Covid-19 virus, which is very small in size, but has great power to destroy almost all lines, especially the economy. Every effort is made to avoid contracting the Corona virus, one of which is by complying with the 10M health protocol and living a healthy lifestyle.
In the last 1-2 months, people can breathe a sigh of relief, Corona cases have decreased and are not as bad as before. If in the past the number of patients could reach 50,000+ people per day, then as of November 1, 2021, only 600 patients. The decline in the Corona curve is a great relief because we hope to end the pandemic more quickly.
Areas affected by PPKM level 4 no longer exist, and many have decreased, only level 1-2. Jakarta has PPKM level 1 while Malang Raya has PPKM level 2, which was previously hit by level 4. When the PPKM level decreases, the regulations are relaxed. Children can study at school while their parents work full time from the office.
However, this situation is not completely safe because the pandemic is not over yet. The decline in PPKM levels in various regions should not make us lower our masks. The chairman of the DPD RI AA La Nyala Mattalitti stated that the public must be disciplined in implementing the 10M health protocol so that there is no spike in Corona cases.
In a sense, the slope of the curve can still have the potential to rise again. The reason is because when PPKM levels down and the situation is safe, many people are lazy to comply with health protocols, or think Corona has gone. Even though there has been no announcement of the end of the pandemic period becoming endemic.
We should reflect on the PRC which is facing a surge in Corona cases because there are guests who come from abroad. Don’t let Indonesia experience the same thing. Therefore, the supervision of airplane passengers who have just entered Indonesia is increasingly being tightened and they must quarantine for 5 days, also complying with the 10M health protocol.
Health protocols must be strictly enforced, even wearing masks of up to 2 layers, namely disposable and cloth masks, to increase the filtration power to 90%. The reason is because in Indonesia, the Covid-19 virus circulating is the Delta variant. The virus can be transmitted only by passing OTG, so we must protect ourselves with masks.
Another process that still has to be adhered to is to keep your distance and avoid crowds. Don’t intentionally crowd and throw a big wedding party. We should be concerned during the pandemic and only hold marriage or blessing contracts with as few guests as possible, so as not to cause a crowd.
In addition to discipline in implementing Prokes, vaccination is also mandatory for all Indonesian citizens. We should also look to Singapore, where Corona cases are on the rise, because there are still many elderly people who have not been vaccinated. The elderly in Indonesia must also be vaccinated, especially since their immune systems are relatively weak. To make it easier for them, they can use the door to door vaccination method.
In various regions in Indonesia there has been a decline in the level of PPKM, so that there is a little leeway in the mobility of citizens. However, don’t be fooled by the situation. Stay disciplined in implementing Prokes because the pandemic isn’t over yet, and of course we don’t want to get Corona, right? Prokes discipline is very easy because in almost 2 years we have been used to doing it.
)* The author is a contributor to the Circle of the Equator