by Halimatusya’diyyah (Coordinator of the Tangerang Regional Independent Social Media Activists Forum)
In the midst of a new normal situation, the government invited all Indonesian citizens to play an active role in echoing health protocols to prevent Corona Virus. It is true that those who are at the forefront in handling Covid-19 are doctors and medical personnel. However, to overcome the problems that occur today must be from the efforts of all elements of society including youth.
The young generation has functions as agents of change, moral force, and social control. Agent of change is the most important thing needed at this time as a trigger for a change in habits for young people themselves and others, such as children and parents.
Quoting from the statement of the first president of the Republic of Indonesia, Ir. Soekarno, “Give me 1000 parents, I will undoubtedly pull all the excitement from the root. Give me 10 young men I will surely shake the world. Let alone the implied meaning, the explicit statement of Bung Karno was very true and correct. Young people have an extraordinary passion. Nothing is impossible if the enthusiasm of the Indonesian Youth flares up.
The role of youth or currently known as millennial is very important in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, especially in providing information and education to those around him. The reason is, today’s youth are very understanding of technology and also information. In this pandemic atmosphere, young people have the capacity and opportunity to create an environment and adapt to any situation, including in applying new patterns of life to avoid the adverse effects of the Covid-19 pandemic in a sustainable manner.
Dissemination and education about the discipline of implementing health protocols must look more interesting and clear, so that ordinary people can easily recognize and understand the criteria and the impact of this virus. Not only intended for the elderly, but early age should also be given education about healthy living. Attractive education is able to attach good habits to children. Moreover, children belong to an age range susceptible to being infected with Corona Virus.
The opportunity for the government to rely on millennial generation is very appropriate. The reason is millennial has its own way which is considered more effective in providing more interesting information in a way that is easily understood. In addition, millennial is considered to be able to think more critically in all situations, in this case millennial can socialize properly and correctly in the midst of critical situations like now. Providing education in an interesting way to the community is considered important, so that the wider community becomes more concerned about viruses that cannot be ignored in the least.
Seen from the enthusiasm of millennials who are willing to move quickly in helping the country repel the virus, for example opening donations, helping creative economic movements both in the culinary field through digital social media marketing, as well as social fields that are volunteering, are considered very good and giving an example that should be in youth. This certainly makes some circles become literate on social issues, given the many people who still consider trivial towards helping others. Whereas in the midst of an emergency like this, helping and strengthening one another is important, in accordance with Indonesia’s motto, Unity in Diversity.
In the meaning of Unity in Diversity there is a value of mutual cooperation. No matter what kind of background, what religion, which culture, whose descendants, all Indonesian citizens already have the nature of mutual cooperation. It’s just that during a pandemic like this, mutual cooperation needs to be rekindled. Together we work together to help our brothers and sisters affected by Covid-19. Starting from the support of daily needs to moral support so that together we can also get through this pandmi period safely.
Millennial role like this will certainly be the concentration of the government in developing Human Resources (HR) in order to produce superior seeds for the country. Moreover, Indonesia is expected to face demographic era bonuses, which require a lot of brilliant millennial assistance. This should not be wasted. Issues relating to the decline in the quality of the nation’s human resources need to be ignored and corrected. Mental must be formed early in order to become a responsible human being in the future.
Various millennial efforts by actively echoing health protocols, such as not forgetting to diligently wash hands after handling something, diligently washing clothes after outside activities, wearing masks, to maintaining a healthy diet such as fruit and vegetable consumption and drinking water regularly are very beneficial for develop healthy habits in the future. If this is done diligently during the new normal, all will go well and quickly reach the goal.
Judging from the benefits, new normal is certainly the right and smart solution for the future of the nation. Therefore, as citizens, we must unite, discipline to run health protocols during the new normal life as a patriot’s attitude to face challenges for the survival of the nation.
