The Lede: Indonesia reports coronavirus | Indoneia Intelligencer
Hello Coconauts!
Our planned flooding special has been pushed off with the news that Indonesia has two coronavirus cases. Today we’ve got everything you need to know, but to keep up with developments follow along with Coconuts Jakarta and Coconuts Bali.
Every Friday, Indonesia Intelligencer looks deep into Indonesia covering economy, politics and the big stories from across the archipelago. Join us here:
After weeks of mounting speculation that Indonesia’s reported zero cases represented a lack in capacity rather than good luck (or the power of prayer), the first confirmed coronavirus cases are here. In announcing the cases Monday morning, President Jokowi reiterated the country’s preparedness in dealing with an outbreak. Still, health experts remain sceptical while Jakartans stock up amid fears of a quarantine.
The first two confirmed cases in the country are a 64-year-old woman and her 31-year-old daughter, both living in Depok just outside Jakarta. The pair will be treated in isolation in North Jakarta’s Prof. Dr. Sulianti Saroso Hospital for Infectious Disease. Health authorities believe the pair contracted the virus from a Japanese national who visited the city. The younger woman and the Japanese friend reportedly visited a restaurant and a club on February 14, but authorities are yet to release a detailed timeline.
Across the country in Bali, visitors who have passed through the busy Ngurah Rai Airport or holidayed in the island have returned home to be diagnosed. A woman travelling from Tehran to Melbourne passed through both Denpasar and Kuala Lumpur aboard a Malindo flight. Australian public health authorities have asked for those who shared the flight to self-quarantine. New Zealand has reported a similar case.
Singapore reports three news cases after two nationals and one Myanmar national were diagnosed following a visit to Batam. The Burmese woman is reportedly an employee of the Singaporean couple and was visiting Batam, Riau Islands. The Indonesian Health Ministry says it is conducting a trace on where the trio went during their time in the province in late February.
The confirmation of cases has sparked panic in the capital. One shopper, a 60-year-old woman from West Jakarta, told the Jakarta Post that she had seen other shoppers stock-up on items such as rice and hand sanitizer during her regular shop on Monday. “Seeing a sight like that made me panicky, too. I ended up buying more than usual," she said.
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War begins on coronavirus (The Jakarta Post)
The emphasis on health measures should be translated into the allocation of more funding and the use of all resources at the government’s disposal for the fight against the coronavirus. Attempts to “take advantage” of the epidemic, as evident in the recent stimulus to boost tourism, will divert from the endeavors to save vulnerable people, hence disrespecting human lives. Of course the virus has impacted the economy, but failure to address COVID-19 will be more devastating as it would further affect global confidence, including that of investors, in Indonesia.
The government has demonstrated its readiness by designating over 100 hospitals across the archipelago to deal with the disease. This should and will be followed by the deployment of health workers, who must race against time to protect the country from a health crisis. Coordination between the central and local governments will be key in this regard, particularly in disseminating tips to protect themselves, including how to live a healthy life to sustain one’s immune system.
Who to believe: social media or government? The challenge of coronavirus in Indonesia (Indonesia at Melbourne)
Good risk communication is required to help people become informed so they can make concrete decisions to protect their health, understand response activities and potentially help in community efforts to deal with an outbreak.
Enter social media with millions of users, keen to follow any story or information, particularly if it challenges or criticises formal government issued messages. This effect is further enhanced by social media algorithms that prioritise content that has been viewed more often, stimulating yet further views.
Who should the public trust? Conversely, how do the government agencies charged with managing outbreaks ensure they are seen as trustworthy sources of information? In crisis situations, a simple statistic that attempts to portray a threat as low-risk or a crisis as well-managed may do little to allay the public’s fears. Additionally, the public tends to poorly interpret overly complex, inconsistent, contradictory messages or ones that arrive late. They often just hold on to existing beliefs or reframe new messages to fit existing views.