Experts Said, Awareness Of The Dangers Of COVID-19 Is Necessary To Prevent The Spread Of The Pandemic

Illustrations (Irfan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - The spread of the corona virus or COVID-19 is a serious problem throughout the world, including Indonesia. The rapid transmission process and the high mortality rate are one of the causes. Various preventive efforts have been made. However, it takes awareness from each individual to solve these problems.

University of Indonesia sociologist Imam Prasodjo said that any efforts by the government to reduce the spread of this virus would be in vain if it was not accompanied by public awareness in implementing the policy.

"One of the ways we must activate first is to raise awareness that this is not a joke. We know our challenge is how to reduce the possibility of an influx of patients," said Imam at the BNPB Building, Jakarta, Thursday, April 23.

In Italy, for example, the lack of public awareness of the dangers of this virus makes transmission faster. People still flock without following a safe distance policy or personal protective equipment.

Even though Italy is a developed country that has good health technology, this cannot prevent the spread of the virus without being accompanied by public awareness.

"Like seeing events in Italy, for example. How a country that is quite advanced but is confused in their health system, cannot run well, because so many patients flock to the hospital," said Imam.

Reflecting on Italy, said Imam, Indonesian public awareness of the dangers of this virus must be increased. If not, the transmission of this virus in Indonesia will get worse. Moreover, this country has a large area

"Therefore, it should not happen (in Indonesia), especially if this happens in villages. In the Jakarta area now it is overwhelmed, especially in districts where medical personnel are very limited," he said.

In addition to raising awareness, a sense of solidarity is important in today's conditions. Moreover, during this pandemic, many people experienced a decline in the economic sector because they lost their jobs. As a result, crime increases and life pressure increases, leading to depression and suicide.

"Do not let the disaster want to avoid corona and then bring about a new disaster, namely hunger. We do not want this country to starve, so that our brothers who later want to avoid the virus are threatened by the hunger," said Imam.

Positive confirmed cases of corona in Indonesia as of April 22 reached 7,418 cases. Meanwhile, 913 patients recovered, while 635 patients died.