By: Muhammad Yasin)*
All parties need to be aware of the potential increase in Corona cases, especially towards the end of the year. People who are active are asked not to be careless and to remain obedient to Prokes because the Omicron variant has entered Indonesia.
The pandemic has made the situation change 180 degrees and for 2 years we are required to survive so as not to contract Corona. In recent months, the condition has stabilized because the average number of Covid patients is only 500 per day throughout Indonesia. In addition, there is no longer any area in this country that has the status of a red zone or PPKM level 4.
However, we must not relax because towards the end of the year there is an increase in Corona cases. DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan stated that in the capital there was an increase in cases of 30-40 patients per day. So he reemphasized the importance of discipline in health protocols.
Discipline in adhering to health protocols is mandatory because towards the end of the year, many are starting to slack. Don’t think that the Covid case is decreasing, even if you are negligent in wearing a mask. Everyone is still required to wear a mask and even wear 2 layers (disposable covered with a cloth mask) to increase the filtration level.
Double masks must be worn because the delta variant of Corona can be transmitted through the air, when someone comes across (albeit accidentally) with OTG. So that this mask can be a powerful guard, provided that the person also obeys other points in the health protocol and has immunity from the results of the Covid vaccination.
The delta variant corona has not been completed but now there is an omicron variant. Indeed, it has not been reported how badly Corona patients are affected by this variant, but there are records that Corona omicron spreads 5 times faster. The way to anticipate transmission is again with the discipline of health protocols and mandatory vaccination.
Towards the end of the year, the most frequently violated health protocol is avoiding crowds. Indeed, New Year’s Eve parties are prohibited from being held in parks, hotels, and other public places. However, we also shouldn’t have our own event at home and invite a lot of people, because it’s the same as creating a crowd on purpose.
The increase in cases after the new year can occur if many are doing parties in their own homes because they are considered safe. Even though it’s dangerous there because we don’t know which of the guests is an asymptomatic person. Moreover, the Corona variant of Omicron has different characteristics from other variants and the patient does not feel anosmia (loss of the function of the sense of smell), so it is possible for some to be infected without realizing it.
Also obey other health protocols such as diligently washing hands and bathing, shampooing, and changing clothes after returning from a trip. Don’t forget to wash the cloth mask immediately because it only works for 4 hours. Buy at least a dozen cloth masks so you can wear them everyday and don’t get tired of washing them.
In addition to complying with health protocols, the way to avoid Corona during the end of this year is by vaccination. Have you been vaccinated? Vaccination is an obligation because if in Indonesia there are at least 75% of Indonesian citizens who are injected with vaccines, group immunity will be formed and the pandemic status can be ended quickly.
Towards the end of the year, we can’t just relax and go on vacation as we like. Keep your distance and reduce mobility and obey other points in the health protocol, because there has been an increase in Corona cases in the capital city. This increase is a warning to all Indonesian citizens to be disciplined in health protocols and don’t forget to fortify themselves with vaccinations.
)* The author is a contributor to the Press Circle and Cikini Students
