DPR Asks The Government To Do Research On The Omicron Variant Because The Public Starts To Not Care

UNSPLASH ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - Member of Commission VII of the House of Representatives (DPR) Mulyanto asked the government to seriously conduct research on the potential spread of the new variant of Omicron COVID-19.

According to him, the Government through the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) must coordinate all virology research institutions to monitor the development of this Omicron variant hour by hour.

Mulyanto reminded the government not to repeat the previous mistakes that underestimated the impact of the spread of the Delta variant. The government, he said, should work based on research and data, not based on estimates.

"Currently WHO has categorized the Omicron variant as a variant of concern (VoC) which has increased from before as a variant of interest (VoI). Therefore, the government must pay serious attention to the development of this virus. Monitoring the results of Omicron research from well-known institutions in the world must be done hour by hour. It is no longer day by day," said Mulyanto, Thursday, December 2.

The PKS Party politician emphasized that the government should have complete and accurate data regarding the speed of the spread, the territorial distribution that has occurred, as well as its characteristics, behavior and ferocity. Including the effect of this variant of omicron on vaccines and antibodies formed from natural infections.

"Moreover, the pandemic has been going on for almost two years and we are getting more and more experienced in managing this condition. Of course, day by day, our pandemic management must be getting better," said Mulyanto.

Mulyanto assessed that the government should be able to show serious work to the public so that negative prejudices do not develop. The government, he said, must understand that the level of public trust in the development of the Omicron case is very low.

"That's because previously there were rumors that there were allegations of government officials involved in the PCR and vaccine business," said Mulyanto.