Seeking Health And Economic Meeting Points In The Pagebluk Period Of COVID-19

Screenshot of INDEF conference (Mery Handayani / VOI)

JAKARTA - The government plans to relax the trade sector by issuing a number of new policies during the corona virus pandemic. Some parties think that this policy will be a meeting point between health and economy in the application of the new normal.

INDEF economist Bhima Yudhistira said, new normal or new normal is a challenge for all parties to adapt to a new life order. Not only the government, business actors and the community also have a stake in it.

Bhima said lessons from the history of the Spanish flu crisis in 1918 can be used as a reference in making decisions. For example, some countries rushed into easing and then resulted in a second wave that was more dangerous than the previous virus.

The government needs to pay attention to this, not to be too hasty in issuing policies. The reason is that the new normal will only be effective if done when the number of cases has decreased and the public is aware of how to maintain their health, such as in Vietnam or South Korea.

"This is one of the important lessons. We can learn that what is called the meeting point between health and the economy does not mean that they are not defeating each other. But if we look from an economic point of view, government intervention cannot be separated," he said in a video conference with journalists, Saturday, June 6.

In addition, said Bhima, the government could not just let go of saying it had to make peace with COVID-19 without providing a large amount of stimulus and compensation for MSMEs.

"Community leadership is also necessary. Central and regional government coordination. Government intervention is to carry out large-scale injections or provide massive stimulus to prevent it from falling deeper. That is what is actually called balance so health is important, economy is important but the private sector cannot. movement then that's where the role of the government must support, "he explained.

The New Normal Is Like Regional Autonomy

Medical volunteer for the Task Force for the Acceleration of Handling COVID-19, dr. Tirta Mandira Hudhi said that what the community will actually do in normal is to apply health protocols in all aspects of life. Actually this has been done since early March, wear a mask and keep your distance.

Tirta explained that the new normal emerged because the economy in each region had reduced income by up to half of the normal condition. According to him, although the policy has been issued by the central government, its implementation is adjusted to the conditions of each region.

"For example, area A is green the next day 10 times better, the mayor concerned must apply the closing rule again, that's how it is done. That's what is expected from the center. For example, if he is yellow again, it will be opened again. New normal is similar to regional autonomy so this will indeed be going to be keep happening. The solution is tracking and testing, "said Tirta.

Furthermore, Tirta said, the COVID-19 pagebluk will not disappear. Even if the number of cases continues to increase, it is not impossible for up to a year or two. However, he warned, not to blame each other.

"South Korea has opened, continues to rise again. Yes, COVID-19 is so rich, we can only control it. The point is there is a lesson about the importance of a clean, healthy lifestyle. Our highest asset is health. Want to be fast (done)? What we have to do is mutual cooperation. independent, educate, and remind each other, "he said.