In an effort to deal with the increasingly widespread Corona virus outbreak, the government encourages the public to apply social distancing or social restrictions. Let's get to know what it is social distancing and how to do it.
The disease COVID-19 caused by a new type of coronavirus is becoming more and more common. According to the latest data published by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, on Wednesday, May 27, 2020, there were at least 23,851 people who were positively infected with the Corona virus in Indonesia.
There were 6,057 patients who managed to recover, but 1,473 of them did not survive. This makes Indonesia one of the countries affected by the Corona virus with the highest percentage of deaths.
If you experience symptoms of Corona virus infection and require a COVID-19 examination, click the link below so you can be directed to the nearest health facility:
- Rapid Test Antibodies
- Antigen Swab (Rapid Test Antigen)
- PCR
The worsening of the Corona virus outbreak requires the government to take a stand. Recently, the president of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, advised every individual to apply social distancing to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. Then, what do you mean social distancing?
What's that Social Distancing?
Social distancing is one of the steps to prevent and control Corona virus infection by encouraging healthy people to limit visits to crowded places and direct contact with other people. Now, the term social distancing has been replaced with physical distancing by the government.
When applying social distancingA person is not allowed to shake hands and maintain a distance of at least 1 meter when interacting with other people, especially with people who are sick or at high risk of suffering from COVID-19.
In addition, there are several examples of application social distancing which are commonly used are:
- work from home (work from home)
- Study at home on line for school students and college students
- Postpone gatherings or events that are attended by a large number of people, such as conferences, seminars, and meetings, or do them in person on line via video conferencing or teleconference
- Not visiting people who are sick, but simply by telephone or video call
Social Distancing and Independent Isolation
Besides social distancing There is also another term related to efforts to prevent COVID-19 infection, namely the self-isolation protocol.
Self-isolation is a protocol that requires everyone to stay in their respective homes or residences while taking physical distancing measures with others.
The Indonesian government urges everyone to self-isolate. However, this protocol must be applied to certain groups, namely:
- People who have symptoms of COVID-19, such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath and do not have co-morbidities, such as diabetes, heart disease, and HIV infection
- People who are suspected or have been confirmed positive for COVID-19
- People who have a history of traveling to red zones or COVID-19 endemic areas within the last 2 weeks
- People who have undergone examination rapid test COVID-19
The self-isolation protocol is carried out in the following ways:
- Do not travel outside the home. All activities, including work, rest, study, and worship, are carried out in each room (not at the same time as other people in the same room).
- Wear a mask and always keep a distance of at least 1 meter when interacting with other people. Limit interaction time to 15 minutes at most.
- Avoid gathering, for example to eat together, during self-isolation.
- Use separate eating and bathing utensils from other people in the house.
- Monitor daily body temperature and see if you have any symptoms of COVID-19.
- Live a clean and healthy lifestyle by regularly washing your hands with soap and clean water, cleaning your house and rooms with disinfectants every day, and following a healthy diet.
- Take advantage of the health app to get the latest information about COVID-19 or consult a doctor to monitor your condition.
- Immediately contact your doctor or the nearest health care facility if you experience symptoms of COVID-19 that are getting worse, such as high fever and shortness of breath.
Preparation to Do Social Distancing
There are several things you need to prepare before undergoing social distancing or social restrictions, namely:
1. Planning activities
You may be used to doing activities, such as shopping, without worrying about whether the place you are visiting is crowded or not. However, in this time of social restrictions, it must be re-planned. The reason is, visiting crowded places will increase your risk of contracting the Corona virus.
If you must come to a public place, choose a time to visit outside of peak hours. For example, when you want to buy household necessities at a shopping center, come during the day on weekdays and not on weekends.
2. Provide necessary medicines
If you have a certain disease and are on medication, make sure you have a supply of the medications you normally take.
If necessary, supply other medicines too, such as paracetamol to relieve pain and fever. This needs to be done so that you don't have to go to the hospital or to the pharmacy if the medicine runs out.
3. Meet daily needs
Prepare stocks of food, soap, disinfectant, and other daily necessities in sufficient quantities. Avoid punic buying or buying things in excess. If you and your family members are healthy, there is no need to stock up on masks.
When buying food, choose and consume balanced nutritious foods that can strengthen the immune system, such as fruits and vegetables, then store the food you have purchased in a clean container and place it in the refrigerator.
4. Prepare internet access
If you have to study or work from home, internet access is certainly an important thing that you need to prepare. So that the process of studying or working continues smoothly, provide Wi-Fi or internet quota that is sufficient and has a stable speed.
In addition to helping you study or work, you can also use the internet to find the latest information about the Corona virus outbreak situation or run applications on line for daily use.
If you are at high risk of contracting the Corona virus and have a fever accompanied by respiratory symptoms, such as cough, runny nose, sore throat, and shortness of breath, immediately see a doctor for further treatment.
To find out how likely it is that you have been infected with the corona virus, try the Corona virus risk check feature provided for free by ALODOKTER. If you are still in doubt, you can chat directly with the doctor in the ALODOKTER application, as well as make an appointment with a doctor at the hospital if it is necessary.
Your awareness in maintaining cleanliness and carrying out efforts to prevent the Corona virus has a very large role in overcoming the COVID-19 outbreak. Start applying social distancing from now on to protect yourself, your family and others.