The danger of covid transmission

The General Election Commission (KPU) is holding the 2020 Regional Head General Election (Pilkada) which is being held simultaneously today. Since the election campaign period until the voting day today, there has been a mass gathering, but on condition that they follow the health protocol to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This condition has become problematic amidst the positive cases of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in Indonesia which are still growing, up to more than 4,000 cases every day.

How dangerous is the transmission of COVID-19 in the midst of the 2020 Pilkada?

What is the emergency of COVID-19 transmission when the regional elections are held?

The implementation of the Simultaneous Pilkada campaign previously was in the spotlight because the KPU gave permission for regional head candidates to hold music concerts. On voting day, potential crowds will also occur at the polling stations (TPS), even though there are rules to go home immediately or come on schedule.

Experts say that the decision to permit the pilkada concert during the COVID-19 pandemic and voting will be dangerous to public health because it risks increasing the transmission rate.

"If the pilkada is running, the risk of transmission will increase. I can assure you that as the campaign progresses the cases will continue to increase. How much? I can't say, "said epidemiologist dr. Panji Hadisoemarto to Hello Sehat.

The increase in positive cases of COVID-19 in Indonesia is increasing day by day. As of early December 2020, positive cases of COVID-19 had increased by more than 5,000 cases

COVID-19 Outbreak updates Country: IndonesiaData

1,012,350

Confirmed

820,356

Recovered

28,468

DeathDistribution Map

Can health protocols prevent transmission of the corona virus in the Pilkada?

The health protocol in holding the 2020 Pilkada Simultaneously referred to in the Maklumat Kapolri Mak / 3 / IX / 2020 is wearing masks, maintaining distance, and avoiding crowds.

Is it good to keep your distance and avoid crowds during a concert?

COVID-19 is transmitted through respiratory droplets that come out when someone talks, coughs, or sneezes.

COVID-19 can also be transmitted indirectly through touching a surface contaminated with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, then the virus moves when hands touch the face and increases the risk of infection. In addition, this virus can also be transmitted through airborne or viruses in the air in the form of aerosols and can be inhaled.

Of the three transmission routes, direct contact with people infected with COVID-19 is the most common transmission route.

If there are no urgent activities, someone is advised to carry out activities both school and work from home. Not doing activities outside the home is the most effective way to maintain physical distance and the key to tackling COVID-19, which was announced since the beginning of the pandemic and has been carried out by many countries.

"Our efforts to control COVID-19 are right social distancing , reducing crowds, and reducing the number of contacts. But, these pilkada concert activities eliminate one another, "said dr. Banner.

"This activity inevitably brings people closer to others, invites contact, people move from one place to another. So the risk of transmission also increases, "he concluded.