People With Flu Symptoms Are Reminded To Wear Masks To Prevent COVID-19 Transmission

Photo Archive - Residents pass in front of a mural inviting them to wear masks on Wonokromo street, Surabaya, East Java, Thursday (26/3/2020). (ANTARA PHOTOS/Moch Asim/hp/aa)

JAKARTA - Professor at the Faculty of Public Health, University of Indonesia, Prof. Dr. R. Budi Haryanto, SKM, M.Kes, M.Sc, said that people with flu symptoms, which he considered similar to COVID-19 symptoms, needed to wear masks to prevent transmission.

"Then for those who are vulnerable, yes. Such as the elderly, pregnant women, small children, if they are in public places, they should also wear masks," said Budi as reported by ANTARA, Thursday, December 14.

Currently, when the pandemic status has been lifted and COVID-19 is no longer as dangerous as before, many health protocols have begun to be abandoned, including when reports of COVID-19 cases have recently increased again.

According to the professor, the increase in COVID-19 cases was caused by an increase in people with flu symptoms who were checking themselves out because there were concerns about pneumonia spreading. From these examinations, he said, it was found that someone was positive for COVID-19.

Additionally, many people with mild flu symptoms may have COVID-19, but, because it only lasts for two to three days, they don't report it.

Budi said that prevention is important in controlling disease. Nowadays, people are touching objects in public places such as elevators, escalators, etc. Therefore, it is necessary to re-encourage health protocols, such as washing hands, using hand sanitizer and wearing masks.

If you have flu symptoms that are similar to COVID-19, don't gather with many people first.

"Just stay at home until you recover, then please go out wearing a mask, because after you recover and you still have symptoms, the virus can actually be transmitted," said Budi.

According to him, a person should not speculate about his own health. He gave an example, many people actually have comorbidities, however, they are not aware of this so that the flu symptoms similar to COVID-19 that they experience become increasingly severe.

"Because after all, we can't play with our own health," he said.