There Is Still A Negative Stigma Against The Survivors, The COVID-19 Task Force: Public Understanding Is Not Deep

COVID-19 Task Force Spokesperson Wiku Adisasmito (Photo: BNPB doc)

JAKARTA - The COVID-19 Task Force (Task Force) acknowledged that the public's understanding of COVID-19 was not deep enough even though the pandemic had existed since early 2020.

This can be seen from the existence of stigma against the community towards COVID-19 patients who are already negative or survivors. Because, things like this still happen even though the COVID-19 pandemic has entered its 11th month.

"If seen in general and some people, they still do not believe and the understanding regarding COVID-19 is not deep," said Wiku Adisasmito, spokesman for the COVID-19 Task Force when contacted by VOI, Friday, February 5.

He also said that people do not need to worry about COVID-19 survivors who have completed independent isolation for 14 days and have not carried out re-swab. Because, this is in accordance with the world standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO).

"It should be remembered that this standard is in accordance with the world standard set by WHO," he said.

Furthermore, to prevent this kind of negative stigma, the government will continue to provide education. So, the public can better understand matters related to COVID-19.

These educational and promotional efforts, said Wiku, will be carried out on various channels conventionally and digitally.

"The government has never stopped making health education and promotion efforts on various channels, both conventional and digital," he said.

Previously reported, the epidemiologist from Australia's Griffith University Dicky Budiman had asked the COVID-19 Task Force to improve their communication patterns to be more informative, especially regarding COVID-19 survivors.

This must be done so that there is no more negative stigma against COVID-19 patients who have been declared negative in society.

"I think the communication mechanism must be improved because it is clear," he said.