Seeing The Danger Of Excessive Claims Of Anti-COVID-19 Necklaces In Society

Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo. (Irfan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Syahrul Yasin Limpo is in the public spotlight after introducing a necklace which is claimed to be able to prevent COVID-19 because it can kill 80 percent of the corona virus if used for 30 minutes.

Although he said that the discovery should be appreciated, but as a sociologist, Tantan Hermansyah considered what Syahrul was doing was dangerous.

Sociologist from the State Islamic University (UIN) Syarif Hidayatullah Tantan Hermansyah appreciated the existence of this necklace, but considered it a danger. Especially during a meeting with Commission IV DPR RI, the Ministry of Agriculture admitted that the necklace had not been clinically tested to be able to fight the virus that causes COVID-19. Because, this virus has just been tested and is effective at killing the corona virus has not mutated as it is today.

"I am worried that the public will be more negligent about this COVID-19," said Tantan when contacted by VOI, Wednesday, July 8.

Apart from being negligent, he assessed that this kind of claim would make people feel confident they were safe from COVID-19 after using the eucalyptus necklace. Thus, the community no longer wants to obey health protocols and endanger other groups of people.

Regarding the emergence of this discovery, Tantan suspects, each agency is encouraged to take a role in fighting this pandemic. But on the other hand, he also did not dismiss this effort as a step to get President Joko Widodo's attention.

"It could be that if it is successful it will also prove their loyalty and commitment to the institution of power. It doesn't matter whether the achievement makes sense or not," he said.

He believes, this discovery has not actually been successful. Because, although the research has not yet reached the final stage, many negative sentiments have been raised by the public. However, Tantan asked all parties to have positive prejudices if the necklace which was claimed to be able to ward off COVID-19 could actually work as expected.

Concerns about community negligence due to excessive claims of anti-COVID-19 objects were also conveyed by the Chairman of Commission IV of the DPR RI, Sudin, at a work meeting held at the DPR on Tuesday, July 7. The sub-dept asked the Ministry of Agriculture not to publish this necklace too often.

Moreover, the Head of the Center for Veterinary Research at the Ministry of Agriculture Ni Luh Putu Indi Dharmayanti explained the necklaces and 4 variants made from eucalyptus, their findings were still not perfect and were still in the trial phase.

"Don't let everyone use this, 'ah, I want to take a trip to the Athlete House, I want to see people who have coronavirus. I didn't hit it, I've used this.' This is the understanding. mature, "said Sudin in the working meeting.

Apart from the Sudin, member of Commission IV of the PDIP faction, Mindo Sianipar, also asked the Minister of Agriculture, Syahrul, not to over-promote the product. He even asked Syahrul and his staff to remove the antivirus necklace during the meeting.

"If you wear it now, please don't shoot the television. Later people will be competing to use it," said Mindo, adding that this needs to be avoided because the effect of the necklace is still unclear.

"Even though we don't know yet. So don't be like that first. Sorry, friends from Balitbangtan must be more selective in conveying that," he added.

Previously, the epidemiologist from Australia's Griffith University Dicky Budiman also highlighted necklaces and other product variants issued by the Ministry of Agriculture which were later claimed to be able to fight COVID-19. He admitted that he was confused about how a necklace made from eucalyptus leaves or eucalyptus hanging from his neck could be considered to ward off COVID-19.

Dicky said that the spread of the corona virus occurred through droplets and aerosols. In addition, this virus can also be spread by touching the hands in the eyes, nose and mouth.

"So if it is claimed that something in the neck can then protect it, the relevance is very weak. It has relevance to the transmission mechanism," Dicky said when contacted by VOI, Tuesday, July 7.

He did not deny, eucalyptus or eucalyptus does have antiviral properties but not for COVID-19. So, he thinks the necklace made by Balitbangtan can ward off COVID-19 is still vague and needs further investigation.

"Indeed, eucalyptus or eucalyptus leaves have antiviral properties. But what has been confirmed in the research is an antiviral that is not for COVID-19," he concluded.