Budi Karya Sumadi Becomes First State Official Infected With COVID-19 In History Today, March 14, 2020

Budi Karya Sumadi, who served as Minister of Transportation from the 2016-2024 era. (ANTARA)

JAKARTA History today, five years ago, March 14, 2020, Minister of State Secretariat (Mensesneg) Pratikno announced that the Minister of Transportation (Menhub), Budi Karya Sumadi was positive for COVID-19. Budi became the first state official to contract COVID-19 and was then treated at the Gatot Soebroto Army Hospital.

Previously, the presence of the virus from Wuhan was only detected entering Indonesia in early March. Three people have been detected contracting the corona virus. Each of them was named with patients 01, 02, and 03. The presence of the COVID-19 patient shocked the whole of the archipelago.

The presence of COVID-19 is disturbing the whole world. Transmission is so fast. One by one the state began to announce the first case in its country in early 2020. Indonesia was not left behind. The corona virus has been suspected of entering from early January, but only early March.

The government also announced the first COVID-19 case in Indonesia. Those exposed to COVID-19 are Sita TYasutami (patient 01), Maria Darmaningsih (patient 02). Then, followed by Ratri Anindyajati (Patient 03).

The three of them are close family status. Problems arise. The announcement brings panic everywhere. Those who are infected get a bad stigma. They are shunned. Sometimes they are also bullied. This condition often makes many COVID-19 patients depressed.

The Indonesian government did not remain silent. They immediately prepared all kinds of support facilities for COVID-19 victims. Many large hospitals were asked to immediately prepare isolation rooms. However, the government itself is still waiting for further advice from the world health organization, WHO regarding the handling of COVID-19.

Recently, the appeal issued by WHO is still impulsive. Or not really the exact solution. The Indonesian government is confused. This condition raises a lot of speculation regarding COVID-19.

The government considers those who contract COVID-19 can recover by itself. The government also asks residents to only focus on maintaining fitness. The appeal to wear masks is only for sick people. Not healthy.

"It must be remembered that this is a personallimited disease, a disease that can heal itself. Just like other viruses. From the start I said, keep your body's immunity, keep it hygienic. We also echo the movement of people living a healthy life everywhere."

"It's only from WHO who is sick that wears a mask. Those who are healthy don't need to, because if they are healthy, it's useless for a mask, they can still get it. Overwhelmed paranoids can affect immunity, in fact, if immunity decreases, it is more susceptible to disease," said Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto as quoted on the CNN Indonesia website, March 2, 2020.

Instead of the way the government has offered successful, those who have contracted COVID-19 are hoarding. No one can really avoid COVID-19. This condition is evidenced by the infection of the Minister of Transportation, Budi on March 14, 2020.

Initially, Budi was known to have typhoid symptoms due to fatigue after a working visit to various regions of the archipelago. However, lab trials were carried out immediately. Budi was later discovered to be the first state official to contract COVID-19.

He was treated intensively at the Gatot Soebroto Army Hospital. This transmission forced Budi to isolate and rest for a long time in order to recover from COVID-19. Budi only recovered on April 27, 2020.

"I received reports from the RSPAD and the Minister of Health that the condition of the Minister of Transportation is getting better. Our prayers together and of course the hospital are working hard so that he is healthy. The Minister of Health has acted quickly to anticipate this matter and immediately carry out tests when needed," said Pratikno as quoted by the COMPASS.com page, March 14, 2020.