Since the beginning of the year, fears have been spreading like wildfire. The virus known to originate from an animal and fish market in Hubei Province, China spread and claimed victims all over the world. Novel Coronavirus (later referred to as Corona), the name of the virus, presented itself as a new year surprise and soon became calamity to the world. According to Kompas.com, up until the March 1st, 86.986 cases worldwide have been confirmed, with 2.979 deaths and 42.294 successfully treated. The number might or might not continue to escalate in near future. Whether the numbers rise or not, the fact that worries have haunted not only Wuhan but also other cities in the world should not be called into doubt.
On Twitter, rumors spread about wealthy Jakartans who ‘invaded’ malls and buy up medical mask, ready-to-eat meals, and daily necessities to stock in hopes of providing them while they stay at home for weeks. The panic buying bore unintended result of rise in price and scarcity. A mask that’s used to be cheaper than a bowl of noodles is now as expensive as a pair of Compass shoes. Lower-income class call these stockists ‘heartless capitalists’.
Sigmund Freud reckoned this phenomenon was caused by what is called ‘objective anxiety’. Said anxiety emerged when one is worried of a possible threat. In dire conditions like this, people feel uneasy inhaling air in crowds or shaking hands with strangers, thinking Corona will seep into their pores and kill them. As a result, people who overthink will do everything in their power to be psychologically secure. Unfortunately, this will hinder others from achieving their own security.
We need to understand that security is the number one treatment for anxiety. Therefore, effective mitigation and treatment are imperative. Quoted from Tirto.id, the use of medical masks is indeed one of the best means to prevent transmission through mouth and respiratory tract. However, specifically for Coronavirus, WHO recommends priority of wearing masks be put on sick people, as coronavirus spreads through droplets let out while coughing.
Pertaining to the issue of Coronavirus, Prof. Ir. Panut Mulyono—rector of Universitas Gadjah Mada—issued a letter on Early Awareness of Coronavirus on February 28th. In the letter, civitas academica is suggested to do the following:
- Postpone overseas trip, particularly to countries affected by Coronavirus.
- For those who have just arrived from an overseas trip (in particular China, Korea, Japan, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, India, United States, Canada, Italy, Germany, France, Kuwait, United Kingdom, Iran, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Netherlands), it is suggested to limit interaction with other civitas or family members within 14 days upon arrival in Indonesia. If cold, cough, blocked nose, and asphyxiation is experienced within 14 days, civitas is required to take a check-up in the pulmonary unit of RSUP Dr. Sardjito and send the results via email to kelembagaan@ugm.ac.id.
- Frequently sanitize hands with soap or hand sanitizer and consume healthy food to increase body immune.
- Wear medical masks, notably when experiencing symptoms of influenza.
In FISIPOL, the needs are easily fulfilled as sinks equipped with soaps in the cafeteria and restrooms all over BA Building, as well as hand sanitizers in Selasar Barat. We know very well that our feeling of security greatly depends on these things. This said, hope we can stay safe and healthy.