By: Celia Ramadhani )*
The community is expected to continue to apply the Health Protocol (Prokes) strictly. This step is expected to suppress the potential spike in Covid-19 ahead of Christmas and New Year (Nataru), especially after the discovery of the Omicron variant in Indonesia.
How’s the pandemic in Indonesia? It’s a shame that many thought the pandemic was over because people started hanging out in cafes in groups, and of course taking off their masks. In fact, there has been no official release from the government that the status of the pandemic has ended, but unfortunately there are violations everywhere.
The Covid-19 handling task force reminds the public to continue to comply with health protocols because it is still a pandemic. But in fact, the discipline to comply with the 10M health protocol has decreased since last November 2021. This is very sad for fear of triggering a new corona cluster if many ignore health protocols.
Sonny Harry B, Head of the Behavior Change Division of the Covid Handling Task Force, stated that the regional task force must immediately respond so that public compliance with health protocols does not continue to decline and even increase again. In a sense, supervision needs to be carried out more strictly so that there are no more violations of health protocols.
Sonny continued, the community discipline score in November 2021 dropped to 7.86 for wearing masks, 7.85 for social distancing, and 7.91 for washing hands. The decrease in the score is certainly dangerous because it shows the indiscipline of the community in implementing health protocols that can trigger the corona virus.
Ahead of the Christmas and New Year holidays, most people wear masks but unfortunately the position is not right because they sag and do not cover the nose and mouth, even though the function of the mask is to protect these 2 organs. There are others who only wear masks on the way but when they arrive at the office they are removed. Even though there could be an office cluster because it is already 100% working from the office so it is difficult to maintain a distance.
Always wear a mask and don’t take it off when you go outside. We are even advised to wear a double mask by WHO, which is a disposable mask covered with a cloth mask. This method will increase air filtration so that it can minimize the transmission of corona. The use of masks is also a maximum of 4 hours so it is mandatory to bring a spare mask.
The social distancing protocol is also often violated by the public because many have held wedding parties by inviting hundreds, even thousands of guests. At the end of the year there is a Nataru holiday so it is used for partying. Even though we don’t know which of the guests has OTG status, it’s better to just skip the invitation.
Even if you still want to hold a wedding celebration during the pandemic, the maximum number of guests is only 50% of the building’s capacity. Food is not consumed in the room but is brought to guests in a box, as a souvenir. The reason is because when eating it will automatically remove the mask, so it is better for guests to eat at their own home.
During the Nataru holiday, there was no PPKM level 3 but it was replaced with a tightening. This is realized by the owner of a restaurant or cafe, so he must comply with health protocols and the maximum limit for guests is 75%. Do not accept all customers with the excuse of money, because it will trigger a crowd. If caught by the Covid task force, he could be fined and his restaurant sealed.
The public is also required to wash their hands with antiseptic soap or it can be replaced by using a hand sanitizer. If you need to bring a bottle of antiseptic liquid, so when you get somewhere, the chairs and tables are immediately sprayed.
Obey health protocols and don’t be careless in the slightest. Especially at the end of the year and there is a Nataru holiday, so it is predicted that there will be a crowd in public places. Avoid crowds and stick to other health protocols, such as wearing masks and washing hands. Even though there is Nataru’s holiday, you must remain disciplined.
)* The author is a contributor to Pertiwi Institute