While Indonesia is about to ease its large-scale social restrictions, there emerges a narrative that the government plans to prioritize herd immunity. The government immediately confirmed that this is not the case.
The head of the COVID-19 Task Force Expert Team, Wiku Adisasmito, stated that the government would not resort to herd immunity to combat coronavirus pandemic in the country. In addition, he said that this is just disinformation or a hoax.
“The answer is no. Easing the large-scale social restrictions has nothing to do with herd immunity,” Wiku explained.
Indonesia itself is indeed drafting a safe plan to ease its social restrictions. However, the aim is not to implement herd immunity, but, instead, it is to prevent the economy from collapsing.
“COVID-19 is not solely a medical threat, but it is also threatening our economic, social, and cultural aspects,” Wiku added. “Thus, the government should thoroughly review the plan to ease large-scale social restrictions.”
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Not Herd Immunity, This is How Indonesia Will Ease its Large-Scale Social Restrictions
Indonesia is on its way to ease large-scale social restrictions. Instead of utterly allowing its people to do things freely and normally like what is in herd immunity, the country will administer strict health protocols.
Among the protocols, the people will still have to wear face masks and regularly wash their hands. The government will also limit social gatherings and regulate protocols on who are allowed to do activities outside their homes.
“People should abide by the protocols by wearing face masks, washing their hands, and maintaining a safe distance to prevent further case escalation,” Wiku warned.
By doing this, the government believes that Indonesians will be able to live alongside COVID-19 safely, a move the government acknowledges as “the new normal.” Accordingly, the government is trying to maintain the country’s economy while preventing the curve from escalating at the same time.
Despite everything, parts of Indonesian communities, such as medical workers, are against the decision to ease the restrictions. This is so considering the absence of indication of the curve to flatten.
