By: Anugrah Diansyah)*
For almost 3 years, the pandemic has begun to be under control and Indonesia is getting ready to enter an endemic period. But that doesn’t mean people can relax, because the pandemic is still ongoing and they must obey health protocols. Don’t let the Corona wave attack happen and take many victims.
When the pandemic was declared to have started in Indonesia in early March 2020, people immediately obeyed every point in the health protocol, even fighting over masks because supplies became scarce. Everyone maintains their health and keeps their distance, washes their hands regularly, and also drinks herbal boiled water. These measures are being taken to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
However, after a year or two, people’s behavior shifted and there was a slack in obeying health protocols. Many people are lazy to wear masks. Many also violate other points in the process, such as walking in groups (not keeping their distance and not reducing mobility). This negative behavior triggers danger because it can lead to new Corona clusters.
A scientist from Michigan University, Sidhhart Chandra, stated that the decline in Corona cases did not mean the pandemic would end. But according to research, there will be a boom 1-2 years until now. In a sense, even though the condition is stable and the number of Corona patients is not booming, there could be a potential for a fourth wave of Covid-19 virus attacks.
As of October 7, 2022, the number of Corona patients is 1,501 people, and the number of patients since the beginning of the pandemic is more than 6.4 million people. This figure is lower than the previous month. However, it is still worrying because the number of patients is above 1,000 people, even though a few months ago Corona patients ‘only’ ranged in the hundreds per day.
Data on the number of Corona patients shows that the pandemic condition is still unstable and there could be a fourth wave of Corona attacks. People need to learn from experience. Where when a new variant (Omicron) and a new subvariant (Centaurus) emerged, the number of Covid-19 patients experienced a spike and created a third wave of attacks.
Corona is a virus that is constantly mutating, and this is dangerous because Omicron is not the only variant that results from mutations. There may be other variants and subvariants in the future. Therefore people must be vigilant.
The way to survive the potential for the next wave of Corona attacks is to obey health protocols. Everyone certainly memorizes the points, such as wearing a mask, washing hands or using hand sanitizer, reducing mobility, maintaining distance, etc. But unfortunately they only memorize but do not practice it.
Even though since the beginning of the pandemic, people have been accustomed to wearing masks, even double masks with a cloth mask position on the outside and a disposable mask on the inside. But they are lazy to wear masks and their behavior is imitated by others. This condition is dangerous because people who are not vaccinated will easily contract the Covid-19 virus.
Doctor Reisa Brotoasmoro stated that the effectiveness of the use of masks to prevent Corona transmission occurs when at least 70% of people in the room wear them. In a sense, when only 1-2 people wear masks, it will be ineffective, because the potential for Corona transmission is still high.
Therefore, people need to be disciplined in wearing masks because they are the main protection for the nose and mouth from droplets that can carry the Covid-19 virus. So, the position must be correct and do not sag. Don’t take your mask off arbitrarily because there may be asymptomatic people (OTG) who accidentally come into contact and transmit Corona.
Also comply with other points in the health protocol. For example, washing hands, maintaining distance, reducing mobility, maintaining environmental hygiene, etc. Currently, many public places provide barrels for washing hands but unfortunately they are never filled with water. Even though the habit of washing hands is very good, it not only prevents Corona but also prevents the entry of viruseas and other harmful bacteria.
The rules for social distancing in the process are also widely violated because life is slowly returning to the way it was before the pandemic. The children went back to school and their parents went to the office. But the habit since the beginning of the pandemic to keep your distance and wash your hands must be done. Do not sit close to each other and student seats must be kept at a distance, during recess they are also not allowed to be in groups.
If everyone is disciplined in the process, it will minimize the transmission of Corona and reduce the number of Covid-19 patients. There will be hope for an end to the pandemic. But if not, there will be a potential for a fourth wave of Corona attacks and make you tired because the number of patients is booming, and there might be a stay at home rule again.
Therefore, the public is obliged to protect themselves from Corona, with prokes discipline. Especially wearing masks, and don’t take off your masks because you see other people not wearing masks. Also adhere to other points in the process such as keeping your distance and washing your hands. When everyone obeys the procedures and vaccinations, then Indonesia can be free of Corona as soon as possible.
)* The author is a contributor to Persada Institute