Current Situation
The Guardian (Jul 12) reported:
The country has so far recorded more than 74,000 cases and 3,535 deaths from the virus, though it is feared that this could be a vast underestimate. While testing rates have improved, they remain among the lowest in the world.
. . . Researchers fear there is a lack of awareness among the public in some areas. “One study in Jakarta [suggests some people] think they have a low risk of getting infected. There is a misconception,” said [Prof Pandu Riono, an infectious disease expert at the University of Indonesia].
In terms of testing per million, Indonesia ranks in the 160 range so the country could definitely do a better job of testing individuals. The average age in Indonesia is under 30 so perhaps way more people have been infected, but just aren't feeling the symptoms that come from the virus. I just find it hard to believe that the virus has spread so slowly in the country considering that the lock down mainly impacted just Jakarta. On the other hand, the slow spread may indicate how important it is to wear masks. Reuters (Jul 13) has this interesting piece of info:
Meanwhile, the government is considering sanctions for people who are violating health protocols such as not wearing masks in public places.
So it appears that masks are required in public places.
The article goes on with some other interesting pieces of info.
President Joko Widodo said the coronavirus outbreak in Indonesia is expected to peak in August or September, the state news agency Antara reported on Monday, two to three months later than earlier projected.
. . . A significant new cluster of infections emerged last week at a military training centre in West Java, where 1,262 cadets and trainers have tested positive for the disease.
Though the infection is predicted to peak in August or September, that isn't stopping Bali from (Reuters - Jul 5) from re-opening in July:
The idyllic Southeast Asian island will gradually reopen this month for domestic tourists, while maintaining a “strict health protocol” to prevent the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19, Bali provincial secretary Dewa Made Indra told reporters.
The local government expects to reopen Bali to foreign arrivals in September.
If you click on the article link, you'll see a photo of a community prayer in Bali. From the photo, you'll notice that most of the people aren't wearing masks or aren't wearing them properly. From the photo, I believe one can see 11 individuals' full face. Of those 11, only 2 appear to be wearing a mask that covers both their month and nose. If that represents the full population of Indonesia, I'm not sure how the country has so few cases, because maybe masks aren't worn widely or properly.
Eucalyptus Necklace
South China Morning Post (Jul 8) reports on what has to rank as a claim that should cause people to have a laugh (even when it comes to this deadly virus):
Indonesia’s agriculture ministry says it has developed an “aromatherapy necklace” containing eucalyptus that can prevent the spread of Covid-19 . . . Agriculture minister Syahrul Yasin Limpo on Friday claimed the necklace could “kill” 42 per cent of the virus if worn for 15 minutes, or up to 80 per cent if used for half an hour.
However, news of the necklace has raised the eyebrows of scientists and prompted ridicule online, with some Indonesians warning their country could become a “laughing stock.”
I have to believe that people in Indonesia are laughing at the agriculture ministry.
And here's a quote from someone who knows how to be very careful and political in his use of language.
Dicky Budiman, a researcher pursuing his PhD in global health security and pandemics at Australia’s Griffith University, was more sceptical . . . He cautioned against putting too much trust in treatments that were still in the early stages of research as this could lead to “false expectations”.
I love the use of the words: early stages of research.
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