After each long holiday, the Covid-19 numbers always jump dramatically.
By: Reiny Dwinanda *
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, One year the new type of corona virus has spread throughout the world. On November 17, 2019, the virus called SARS-CoV-2 by the World Health Organization (WHO) was first discovered in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.
A year later, researchers in Italy said the virus had spread outside China since September 2019. Italy referred to the findings of researchers who revealed that its citizens had antibodies to the corona virus six months before the Covid-19 case was first confirmed in its country.
Data published in journals Tumors it comes from an analysis of blood samples from 959 people taken during lung cancer scans from September 2019 to March 2020.
The findings suddenly made China feel free from accusations of igniting a pandemic. According to China, this means that the SARS-CoV-2 that causes Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) does not originate from their country.
On the other hand, there are other scientists who doubt and there are also those who appreciate the Italian findings with all the weaknesses of their study. The two camps agree that in-depth research is needed to uncover the origin of SARS-CoV-2.
What other progress has been made in dealing with the pandemic? From the drug side, the United States (US) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the emergency use of Regeneron monoclonal antibodies, including for mild to moderate Covid-19 patients in adults. This experimental drug was given by US President Donald Trump when he was exposed to Covid-19.
Then, the US FDA on November 19 approved the use baricitinib which is combined with remdesivir for patients over two years of age who are being treated in a condition requiring oxygen assistance or other breathing devices.
In Indonesia, BPOM has given the green light for use favipiravir mild to moderate Covid-19 patients. Remdesivir can be given to Covid-19 patients with severe degrees who are hospitalized.
On the other hand, on November 20, WHO announced that it would not recommend remdesivir for Covid-19 patients who were hospitalized because there was no evidence that the drug produced by Gilead Sciences reduced mortality or reduced severity. In fact, 50 countries have approved the use remdesivir, including Indonesia.
Also in November, the world celebrates the results of the final stages of clinical trials of experimental vaccines Pfizer / BioNTech and Moderna which are claimed to have effectiveness over 90 percent. Vaccine Sputnik Russia is also reportedly promising. However, data on the safety of the three vaccines and their efficacy for people who are elderly or have comorbidities and their reliability in preventing disease severity have not been available for a while. Many other questions are also waiting to be answered, including the question of how long the antibodies formed can last.
The joy of the findings should not dampen our vigilance. This is because vaccines are still taking a long time to reach the wider community.
After eight months since the Covid-19 case was first confirmed in Indonesia, the boredom of living within the confines of health protocols and a sense of feeling about life before the pandemic is natural to strike. But we can control that feeling by promoting the fact that the corona virus is still around us.
Jakarta record
Just look at what is happening in the capital city, the region with the most PCR testing contributions in Indonesia. Saturday (21/11), DKI Jakarta reached a record of 1,579 new cases.
That’s not a good sign. Moreover, according to a survey by the Faculty of Public Health, University of Indonesia as of November 21, there was a decrease in community compliance in implementing 3M, namely wearing masks (65 percent), washing hands (30 percent), and maintaining distance (60 percent). In fact, the percentage of community compliance with 3M must be 80 percent to be able to control Covid-19.
The crowd that is created, is very risky to form clusters, whether from recitation, wedding receptions, traveling together, or regional elections. The corona virus can attack anyone, from market traders, teachers, students, clerics, doctors, nurses, to government officials.
There will be no end if we continue to blame each other. It is better for each individual to take the initiative to become a leader for himself and those closest to him in preventing the spread and transmission of Covid-19.
One by one people realized that the crowd was getting less and less. We also participate in protecting teachers, scholars, doctors, and leaders so they don’t fall sick due to Covid-19
Armed with the same awareness, it means that we are also willing to postpone our year-end holiday plans. Hasn’t it been proven, every long holiday the Covid-19 case has skyrocketed again.
Covid-19 can indeed be asymptomatic or have mild symptoms. But, even then there are long haulers, people who have not been free from health problems for months since recovering from Covid-19.
Not to mention if you are seriously ill or die. Imagine the sorrow that is presented by a disease that we could have prevented by slightly restricting freedom and pleasure.
* the author is a journalist republika.co.id
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