Perilaku Hidup Sehat Kunci Pencegahan Virus Corona
Perilaku Hidup Sehat Kunci Pencegahan Virus Corona
The confirmation of the two cases of COVID-19 in Indonesia was quite surprising for the public and even caused fear for various groups. This fear triggers people to take various impulsive actions such as buying masks and necessities.
The coordinator of the UGM COVID-19 response team, Dr. Riris Andono Ahmad, MPH, PhD revealed that the key to preventing the transmission of this virus lies in the healthy behavior that has been often campaigned before the emergence of this virus, such as washing hands, consuming healthy food, as well as exercise and adequate rest.
"We urge the public to remain calm in responding to this incident considering that we can prevent COVID-19," he said in a press conference held on Tuesday (3/3) at UGM Central Building.
Related to the actions of the people who bought masks to prevent transmission, he stressed that the general public who are in a healthy condition does not need to wear a mask, because this virus does not spread through the air directly.
Transmission of the virus occurs through droplets or bodily fluids that can be splashed on someone or objects around them at a distance of 1-2 meters through coughing or sneezing. Therefore, the use of masks is needed precisely by people who are sick to prevent these sparks.
"So in general, this disease is transmitted more through that kind of model transmission. Therefore, this disease is more effectively prevented by washing hands with antiseptic soap or alcohol-based hand sanitizers," Riris added.
COVID-19 is a disease caused by the SARS CoV-2 virus with common symptoms of both mild and severe acute respiratory disorders such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, runny nose, sore throat, or diarrhea.
One in six people who are infected will experience symptoms of severe pain such as shortness of breath. Most sufferers who experience severity are the elderly people and have a history of other diseases such as hypertension, heart disease, or diabetes.
Riris added that compared to several diseases that are also caused by Coronavirus, such as SARS and MERS-Cov, COVID-19 has a lower fatality rate, which is around 2 percent, far lower than SARS which can reach 10 percent.
Moreover, the Indonesian health system has considered capable enough to detect and provide treatment for this disease, so that people do not have to panic.
"The discovery of confirmed cases yesterday shows that the detection capacity of our health system is quite capable, and the government has also prepared 100 hospitals in Indonesia to handle COVID-19 cases," he explained.
On the same occasion, microbiology expert FKKMK UGM, Prof. dr. Tri Wibawa, Ph.D, Sp.MK explained that many viruses can be combated with immunity. In addition to the consumption of healthy foods or medicinal plants that can improve the immune system, exercise, adequate rest, and stress management are also important.
UGM itself has published a circular letter calling on all UGM members to actively make vigilance efforts in work units and carry out healthy lifestyle behaviors. It contains some appeals, one of which is taking preventative steps such as suspending travel abroad, especially countries affected by COVID-19.
Furthermore, UGM has an effort to form the response team as a special task force to protect the UGM academicians and surrounding from the threat of disease.
"Last year we launched the Health Promoting University program, and one of the concerns is health literacy. Because this caused panic, UGM formed a task force in which from the directorate of partnerships and international affairs, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, and the HPU team would have coordination," said UGM Vice Chancellor for Human Resources and Assets, Prof. Dr.Ir. Bambang Agus Kironoto.
Author: Gloria
Photo: Vino & freepik.com
Translator: Natasa A