Still Stubborn? Remember Disobeying Health Protocols Contribute To Increase In COVID-19 Cases

JAKARTA - Academics from the University of Indonesia, Dr Budiman Bela, said that non-compliance and discipline in implementing health protocols (prokes) contributed to an increase in the number of morbidity and mortality due to COVID-19 in Indonesia.

"Close contact without a mask in public places such as markets, cafes, workplaces, and places of worship will increase the possibility of someone being infected and becoming a source of transmission to other people, both asymptomatic and symptomatic," Budiman said when contacted by ANTARA in Jakarta. , Saturday 31 July.

Budiman, who is a lecturer and researcher in Medical Microbiology, Molecular Biology and Immunology at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia, said that if an infection from outside is brought into the home and family, it will infect family members.

Transmission to children and adolescents at home can also lead to faster transmission because the 3M health protocols (wearing masks, washing hands with soap and running water, maintaining distance) are relatively difficult to apply to this group.

Budiman said it is important to implement the regulations that have been set by the government, in particular the implementation of 5M, support the vaccination program, and participate in reporting positive antigen and PCR test results to the local RT/RW.

These efforts are aimed at tracing transmission, isolation, and handling the health of infected people according to procedures as early as possible to reduce transmission of infection, morbidity and mortality due to COVID-19 infection.

5M includes wearing masks, washing hands, maintaining distance, reducing and avoiding crowds, and reducing mobility.

Budiman hopes that the public will be selective and critical of information circulating about COVID-19 and other issues, so that they do not participate in spreading false information or hoaxes to others. "The public should not act alone and spread hoaxes that are not based on a proven scientific basis," he said while reminding him about health protocols.