The COVID-19 Awareness Challenge

KOMPAS/PRIYOMBODO

An officer serves parents of students at the New Student Admissions Post (PPDB) at SMK 15 state vocational school, South Jakarta, Tuesday (23/6/2020). The government, through a joint decree issued by four ministers, stipulates that schools can be opened in COVID-19 green zones on the condition that they meet health protocols, as well as obtain local government permits and parent permission.

The trend in confirmed COVID-19 per day in October has started to decrease and the cure rate continues to increase. These are good signs that need to be improved upon.

However, the nation should not drop its guard and loosen its efforts to control COVID-19. Large-scale social restrictions have been tightened up, including in Greater Jakarta. Nevertheless, demonstrations that disregard health protocols have also broken out in many areas. Regional head election campaigns are also growing. If this is not controlled, the rate of infection will increase again.

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People’s awareness is key. Prevention efforts, such as health promotion campaigns and prevention of transmission of COVID-19, such as through testing, tracking and isolation, should also remain the focus in controlling COVID-19. Without strengthening efforts “upstream”, transmission will continue to increase. Problems “downstream” are booming, with health services becoming overwhelmed.

The delivery of the message will involve social experts, including linguists.

The COVID-19 task force plans to intensify public communication to strengthen awareness and prevention efforts at the individual level. The delivery of the message will involve social experts, including linguists. The message will be delivered in a number of languages with approaches adapted to local cultures (Kompas, 18/10/2020).

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This step needs to be appreciated. Building people’s awareness to live according to health protocols in the COVID-19 era really needs a sophisticated public communication strategy in order to really hit the mark, and also needs to be on a mass-scale.

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A study in public behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic conducted by the Central Bureau of Statistics from Sept. 7-14, found that 17 percent of respondents believed it was very unlikely they would contract COVID-19. These findings indicate that public understanding is not evenly distributed, even though dealing with the pandemic demands the awareness of all. “No one is safe until everyone is”, said the World Health Organization.

KOMPAS/RADITYA HELABUMI

A woman passes by a wall mural reminding people to wear masks and observer physical distancing in an alley in Krendang, West Jakarta, Monday (31/8/2020). Public compliance with the Covid-19 health protocol is key to reducing community transmission.

Generally, the WHO continues to campaign on seven points. First, regularly wash your hands with soap. Second, keep a distance of about 1 meter from people who sneeze or cough. Third, avoid touching your face. Fourth, cover your mouth and nose when sneezing and coughing. Fifth, stay home when feeling unwell. Sixth, reduce smoking or other activities that can weaken the lungs. Seventh, try to keep physical distance by avoiding unnecessary travel and stay away from crowds.

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The challenge is that all these health protocols must be carried out over a long period of time. Since the first COVID-19 case was discovered in this country in March, we have been living with it for more than seven months. Discipline and consistency are needed. Don’t let your guard down in the least. In fact, everyone’s willingness and ability to adapt is different. Economic hardship and limited facilities make it even more difficult. We need to make sure we are all aware and also help each other.