By: Aulia Hawa )*
The government has again increased the duration of the Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) policy until August 16, 2021 because it is indicated to be able to suppress the surge in Covid- 19 cases . The public is also expected to be patient with this policy in order to accelerate the handling of the pandemic as well as the National Economic Recovery (PEN).
The government continues to perform acrobatics looking for solutions so that people do not suffer prolonged suffering from Corona . One of the programs carried out with discipline is PPKM level 4, and it continues to be extended every week, because it must evaluate the number of Covid- 19 patients first.
East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa stated that PPKM has proven effective in suppressing the spread of Corona , especially in the local area. He also thanked the people in East Java and all parties who were disciplined in carrying out health protocols, as well as the hard work of vaccinating when the PPKM level was implemented.
The efficacy of PPKM level 4 can be seen from the number of patients per day. According to the data of the task force team Covid , in East Java, the sheer number of patients Covid 1st A Gustus 2021 there were 3,671 people, while 9 A Gustus 2021 live 1,965 people per day. As for the national level, tan ggal 1 A Gustus 2021 there were 30,000 patients per day and 9 A Gustus late 2021 lived 20,000 per day.
The decline in the number of Covid patients was also accompanied by a decrease in the BOR ( bed occupancy in hospitals). If at the beginning of J uly 2021 (before PPKM applicable), BOR it reached 95%, then after PPKM extended, stay 69%. This means that this is a good thing because PPKM really prevents the transmission of Corona so that the number of new patients continues to decrease.
The decline in Corona patients is certainly good news because we can be free from the shackles of the pandemic as soon as possible. It’s been more than a year that people have been trapped by so many rules during the pandemic and finally got mental illnesses such as stress and cabin fever . All of this must be detained and later when the pandemic ends we can be happy like we used to be, and the condition is that we have to be patient and obey various rules during PPKM level 4.
People are getting used to the extension of the PPKM because they are also aware that this program is good for controlling Corona . Moreover, in this extension the rules have begun to be relaxed, and malls may be reopened. So that people can shop directly there and Mall entrepreneurs are relieved because their businesses don’t just close.
However, residents who want to shop at the Mall must be 12-70 years old , because they must have received the vaccine. So when you go there, you must show your vaccine card or show the Peduli Protect application, because there is an electronic version of the vaccine card file . This condition will protect against the new Corona cluster while keeping the economy running.
Indeed, when PPKM level 4 was implemented and extended, there was a dilemma, because the government wanted to maintain people’s health but economic activity was somewhat limited. However, all of this was overcome with concessions, in which stalls and street vendors were allowed to open again even though their hours were limited. In addition, there is a limit on the duration of eating in the stall, and this should not be complained about because it is actually done to prevent new clusters.
Health is the main thing but the economy is also important, but what needs to be prioritized is health. When mobility during PPKM level 4 is limited and there are a number of other rules, it has a slight impact on the financial condition of the people, especially those who work on the streets. However, it must be realized that if everyone is healthy thanks to PPKM, it will have a positive impact on the economy, so you have to be patient because it is only temporary.
The PPKM extension is very effective in suppressing Corona cases in Indonesia, so there is no need to complain. Later when the number of Covid patients continues to decline, PPKM can be relaxed or dismissed. Just be patient and stay disciplined in obeying health protocols.
)* The author is a citizen living in Tangerang