The Lede: Confirmed cases set a new record
Economic growth slower than expected
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Today we’ve got the latest in how COVID-19 is impacting the country and the economy. Join us every Friday when we dig deeper behind the headlines in our premium newsletter. To celebrate the holiday, we’re running a Ramadan special giving you a 60-day free trial:
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Latest numbers
Indonesia reported its highest one-day confirmed cases, with 484 infections added to the toll Tuesday evening. Eight patients died over the 24 hour period continuing a short trend of official deaths in the single digits, National Covid-19 taskforce spokesman Achmad Yurianto said. Still, deaths from probable cases are not included in the tally. Jakarta remains the epicenter of the country’s outbreak.
A fresh wave?
Indonesian nationals returning from work or study abroad will be tightly monitored in an effort to prevent a second wave, President Joko Widodo says. Around 89,000 nationals have returned to the country since the pandemic broke out with a further 16,000 expected to return in the coming days. The national government are hoping to avoid a similar fate seen in Thailand and Singapore in which imported cases and migrant workers have become clusters.
Economic woes
Fears of economic ruin are coming to a head, with the economy recording its slowest growth in nearly 20 years in the first quarter. January-March grew 2.97 percent, much lower than the previous quarters 4.97 percent and the expected 4.04 percent predicted by economists and analysts. With lockdowns set to continue well into the second quarter, those numbers are expected to drop further.
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On social media, Indonesians fight back against dangerous COVID-19 conspiracy theories (Coconuts Bali)
The COVID-19 pandemic has created a fertile ground for conspiracy theories to flourish, so much so that we’re seeing well-known figures here in Indonesia taking it upon themselves to echo these questionable ideas on their massive platforms. While the current state of our economy and society may in turn encourage these conspiracy beliefs, some Indonesians are not shying away from using social media to fight back against the dangerous infodemic.
First of all, it might be wise to acknowledge that our world has indeed been taken over (for lack of a better phrase) by the new coronavirus, and even those of us who are fortunate enough to be free of infection are undoubtedly experiencing the brunt of the outbreak in a myriad of ways. Staying at home, for those of us who can, is affecting everyone mentally and emotionally, and it’s certainly taking its toll on some people at this point.
For the past few weeks, conspiracy theories on COVID-19 have found their way into the public discourse among Indonesians. What started as misinformation soon turned into something potentially more sinister, and further promoted by a number of people with huge followings.
The faces behind the numbers: Remembering COVID-19 victims (The Jakarta Post)
For many people in coronavirus-stricken Indonesia, tuning into the government’s daily press conference detailing the latest data on confirmed cases and deaths linked to COVID-19 has become a mundane ritual – an exercise in news consumption amid great uncertainty.
For some others who have lost their loved ones to the disease, however, the constantly updated statistics signify a void left in their private lives.
Behind every number that illustrates the magnitude of the current health emergency is an intimate story of resilience and perseverance in the face of a crisis.
Bali's apparent immunity to COVID-19 has generated much discussion on social media, representing a wide gamut of opinion that also reflects the island's spirituality and mysticism.
Others cite conspiracy theories that claim the pandemic is a hoax invented by overzealous governments and vaccination figureheads like Bill Gates.
Gede Wanasari, head priest of the Indonesia Hinduism Society, told Al Jazeera Bali was spared because of the good karma and prayers of the Balinese people.
He also points to Balinese cuisine, saying it "contains a lot of herbs to increase human immunity" - a theory supported by some studies and nutrition experts on the island.