(Warning: Strong languages and rants ahead)
Okay. I have to say something about the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) now being a massive pandemic infecting the whole wide world. This virus is now a total pain in the ass. Why would I say so, you might ask. It’s because of this little bastard, events being either postponed or cancelled, people are scared to even walk just 3 meters from their house doors, and in a particularly terrifying way, economics are disrupted. In the midst of lockdowns or isolation (whether self-imposed or in hospital beds), those who are working in a formal sector (either state-owned or private companies) are mostly working from their own homes. Students are also receiving the same treatment, mostly through online classes or special assignments. Those who don’t impose the “Work from Home” policies (WFH) are still required to check themselves in to their offices, wearing some kind of protection like surgical masks and gloves while doing so. But some of them are either stupid enough or losing a few brain cells to actually make unnecessary trips or just to please themselves.
Let me recap on how the world end up in this fiasco. The virus was discovered sometime between November and December of last year in the city of Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. It began to spread to outside of mainland China, with neighboring South Korea and Italy in Continental Europe recorded the most cases. How the virus spreads in both countries? It’s easy to figure out that in the event of mass gathering, one cough or sneeze would cause a domino effect. In South Korea, it was during a church service, whereas in Italy, it was caused by two Chinese tourists in the city of Rome. During the next two months, those two countries became the most impacted regions of the world because of someone who, either aware or not infecting their surroundings. As a result, Italy, along with several European countries like France, The Netherlands and Germany are now under complete lockdown in order to slow down the spread. Indonesia, meanwhile, as of today has 686 cases, with 55 deaths and 30 recovered cases. President Joko Widodo has instructed companies either state-owned or private companies to start working from home, same with the students. He also just recently announced the cancellation of the National Examinations on all school levels (Elementary, Middle School and High School).
But when it comes to obedience for this particular policy, Indonesian are unfortunately known to be stubborn. Just a few days after President Jokowi’s address to start the WFH policy, instead of actually working, those same people instead rushing to several key tourism sites, like when all Jakarta citizens flooded Bogor and its surrounding areas in a desperate search for any tourist attractions. In the early days of this policies, in some province, like in Manado, North Sulawesi, the authorities patrolled around shopping malls to reprimand students who are hanging out in those malls instead of studying at home. Worryingly, some events which can draw massive crowds like wedding parties are continued to be held despite all of the stakeholders suggesting otherwise. This policy, which acts like a partial lockdown in itself is also affecting religious activities like Friday prayers for Muslims, or Sunday services for Christians (Catholic and Protestant). But annoyingly, there are some “fanatics”, to say the least that instead encourage their fellow neighborhood to fill the mosques and churches, when in reality, forming a crowd increases the chance of infection. And this is the epitome of bad ideas. In Malaysia, around 20.000 people gathered in Jamek Mosque in Sri Petaling, Kuala Lumpur for a mass service from February 27 to March 1. By March 17, of the 673 confirmed cases at the time, it is believed that around two thirds of the number might have some correlation to the mass rally. And what about Italy, then? The main reason why is ironically, Italians’ habits of family gathering. Indonesians are also known to leave no spaces in public areas. The police have to stage ambushes in several cafes and restaurants, hoping that the customers (mostly youths) obeying the government’s recommendation. Even with the Social Distance Policies being enforced, there are some individuals who think that they are invincible. “I’m in good health. There is no way that I have the virus” yeah right, and when you are tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, you reacted like it’s the end of the world. Younger people like me (I’m 24 years old, by the way) might not display common symptoms, but can still carry the virus and has a slim chance of accidental coughing or sneezing. So, for your own sake, keep your smelly asses inside your house! Don’t fuck this up for those who are risking their lives and wellbeing (doctors and all medical staffs) to treat the sick.
But alas, some of these “supermen” are quite deluded, thinking that the virus won’t touch them, especially a certain Islamic cleric who once claimed that the coronavirus is “God’s army”. Some jackasses also claimed that they are not afraid of the disease, they only feared God. Let me tell you something. Being religious has nothing to do with your immunity. This virus could attack anyone, from celebrities to politicians to normal citizens. So, don’t spew the “fear God, not the virus” bullshit on my face. Some of you might see this partial lockdown as a chance to plan your vacation. Having fun for probably a week or two and ended up infected by the virus. What a turn of events! I guess the authorities need a harsher approach to this, like chasing away those guys with a machete every time they step away from their homes for absolutely no reason (Shopping for supplies, going to medical facilities and fetching food orders are not one of them). Hell, let’s armed those guys with flame throwers. Each time someone step out for no reason, scare them back to their houses with that thing. Luckily, the Indonesian government acted quick, by promising incarceration up to one year for forming a gathering or organizing events that would draw a large number of crowds. And to end this, I’m going to stress this again. Stay inside. Pull your head from your ass and assist those doctors, nurses and other medical staffs by locking your smelly ass inside the house. You’re not doing any favor by going outside for no apparent reason. You could either catch the virus or being incarcerated, especially if you form a crowd. This virus is no joke, but by doing those things, you are not only being a major pain in the ass, but also made you a sitting duck for infections, and making a fool out of yourself in the process.
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