Doni Monardo: There Are Still People Who Think That COVID-19 Is A Conspiracy

Chairperson of the Task Force for the Acceleration of Handling COVID-19 Doni Monardo (Photo: Public Relations of BNPB)

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Task Force for the Acceleration of Handling COVID-19, Doni Monardo, said that many people think that COVID-19 does not exist and is just a conspiracy.

"There are still a number of parties who think this is a conspiracy. COVID is fabricated, this COVID is a conspiracy," said Doni after a limited meeting on handling COVID-19 at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Monday, July 13.

He explained that COVID-19 is the truth and is happening in Indonesia and the world. This is evidenced by the presence of 3,500 people who died in Indonesia and 550,000 people worldwide who died from contracting the virus.

Doni likens COVID-19 as an angel of life for people who are vulnerable because they are old or have comorbid diseases such as heart, kidney, tuberculosis, diabetes, or other comorbidities.

So, he asked people who are vulnerable to contracting COVID-19 not to carry out activities outside the home first. Even if forced, Doni said, those who fall into the vulnerable group must follow strict health protocols and stay away from crowds in public places.

To increase awareness, according to President Joko Widodo's direction, later the socialization will be carried out. There are a number of parties who will later be involved in the socialization such as anthropologists, sociologists, and also community leaders. In addition, Doni said Vice President Ma'ruf Amin also asked ulama in all regions in Indonesia to be involved.

The purpose of this socialization is to fight wrong notions about the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia and to raise collective awareness to prevent transmission of the virus in the community.

Previously, President Jokowi asked for an increase in cases that occurred recently, which reached 2,657, to continue to be given attention. He also requested that the 3T, namely testing, tracing, and treatment be continued.

The former governor of DKI Jakarta said that there are several areas that are prioritized in the massive implementation of 3T, namely East Java, DKI Jakarta, West Java, South Sulawesi, Central Java, North Sumatra and Papua.

In addition, he asked all staff to intensify the implementation of health protocols to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. Because, in the past few days, the number of positive cases has increased.

Based on the data received, the number of additional positive cases was due to a lack of public awareness of following health protocols. So, it needs more massive socialization.

"Reinforce the national disciplinary movement towards this health protocol by keeping your distance, wearing masks, and washing your hands," Jokowi said when opening a limited meeting to accelerate the handling of the impact of COVID-19 at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Monday, July 13.

In fact, without a doubt, the former governor of DKI Jakarta mentioned areas that still underestimated health protocols. The area is East Java (Jatim), a province led by Khofifah Indar Parawansa.

"From the survey we saw in East Java when I went to East Java, their survey was that 70 percent of the people did not wear masks," he said.