By: Azizah Nilawaty)*
The handling of the corona in Indonesia is relatively good and has been recognized by the world, because the government immediately looks for a vaccine after mass production. In addition, the government has also firmly implemented micro PPKM to reduce the number of corona patients and avoid lockdowns, because the costs are very large.
The COVID-19 pandemic has hit not only in Indonesia but all over the world. It is feared that the human population will decline due to this dangerous disease. But in the midst of the onslaught of bad news, there is recognition from the world that Indonesia is considered successful in dealing with the corona pandemic.
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto stated that Indonesia is among the best countries in dealing with corona in ASEAN, when compared to Singapore or other countries. In a sense, Indonesia is at the forefront in overcoming all problems caused by the corona.
Indonesia has been praised for dealing with the corona virus for moving quickly in organizing a national vaccination program. After the Sinovac vaccine was mass produced, the government immediately brought it at the end of the year. The national vaccination program starts at the beginning of the year, so the sooner and more people get the vaccine.
Compare this to Malaysia, which just received the Pfizer vaccine in February 2021 and their national vaccination is also slower than Indonesia. Even netizens in neighboring countries are also reportedly jealous because residents in our country get vaccines faster, so they have high immunity early.
In addition, the government not only brought in Sinovac vaccine but also other brands such as AstraZaneca and Pfizer. So that they do not experience ‘dependence’ on one particular brand, because the stock is certainly limited. Instead of waiting for a long time, it is better to buy another brand of vaccine with the same high efficacy.
The vaccines purchased are also not only in finished form, but also in bulk form, aka raw materials. So that it will be processed by laboratory workers and experts in Indonesia, and will secure the stock of vaccines, because there is no need to wait for shipments from abroad.
The government is also commended because the national vaccination program is 100% free. Compare this with Singapore, which has to pay for 2 injections. This means that the Indonesian government understands that the people’s economic situation is receding during the pandemic, so paying for vaccinations will be very burdensome.
If people choose the independent vaccination route, then they also don’t have to pay, because it is paid by the company. This step is also appreciated because it accelerates the national vaccination program, because there are 2 routes, namely the usual and independent. If more and more people are vaccinated, herd immunity will quickly form and the pandemic will end more quickly.
The government’s move to reject the lockdown was also praised because it could have a major impact on the country’s economy. In a week of lockdown, it will cost up to trillions of rupiah, and will be very burdensome for the state treasury. Therefore, the President chose to implement micro PPKM again rather than lock down.
Although not 100% limiting community mobility, micro PPKM is quite effective in reducing corona patients. The proof is from the micro PPKM last period, the number of covid patients decreased by 50%. This time, it is certain that micro PPKM is stricter because people have to work from home 75%, not 50% like the previous PPKM. They also can’t wander out of town because they have to do a swab test and it’s only valid for 1×24 hours.
The steps taken by the Indonesian government are appropriate to control the transmission of the corona virus, so netizens around the world admit it. They appreciated that the government was quick to respond in buying vaccines and launched a national vaccination program. Vaccines are also free so that they do not burden the community.
)* The author is a contributor to the Pertiwi Institute
