The Positive Effects Behind the Corona Pandemic

By: Tila Aryantini Tandi
Student of the Faculty of Economics and Business, Satya Wacana Christian University

COVID-19, a disease first discovered in Wuhan, China, December 2019, is relatively new and is highly contagious. The cause is the Corona virus which causes respiratory infections in humans ranging from cold coughs to more serious ones such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). COVID-19 entered Indonesia since early March 2020 and thousands of people have already been stricken with this disease.

The spread of this disease makes the government ask people to stay at home and undergo restrictions on social interaction. Lockdown is not an option because it is feared to cripple the economy. Head of Covid-19 Handling Task Force Expert Group Prof. Wiku Adisasmito stated that many Indonesians work to rely on daily wages so that lockdown will greatly affect them.
Nevertheless, the government's suggestion to stay at home also disrupts the community's economy.

Because not everyone earns income by working at home. So vulnerable to financial crises, and difficulties in buying food and daily necessities. For example online motorcycle taxi drivers, which are affected because people no longer need transportation services. Plus the ban for ojol to transport people in areas that have the status of Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB) such as Jakarta.

Likewise the homeless people who need attention from the surrounding community and the government. Many of the environment around them is dirty, some even do not have a place to live. Instead of buying masks and hand sanitizers, even their food needs may not be able to fulfill them.

The fate of those who cannot access and buy personal protective equipment (ADP) needs to be considered by the government. Moreover, these circles are generally difficult to conduct self-quarantine and restrictions on social interaction, making it more vulnerable to exposure to the Corona virus. So far, we can see that working from home is a privilege for the upper middle class.

Apart from the issue of handling Covid-19, there are also positive impacts behind this pandemic. First, people have more time to establish closeness between family members. Second, many people take social care actions for those who need help. Third, solidarity to help medical personnel. Currently medical personnel work at the forefront and are most at risk of contracting the virus.

The number of ADPs is minimal, mobilizing many people to participate in helping medical staff by providing the equipment. Fourth, online meetings are more efficient. Because companies don't need to spend money to rent meeting rooms in hotels or restaurants. Not to mention the matter of transportation costs, and travel time. Fifth, we have plenty of time to do things that have been postponed, and hobbies that are loved.

Sixth, air pollution drops dramatically. During the implementation of social distancing, the city streets turned deserted. Traffic congestion that is usually a daily sight in big cities is no longer visible. Motor vehicle fumes that cause air pollution are much lower. As a result, the ranking of air pollution has improved considerably after the government implemented this work at home strategy.

In Jakarta, for example, the Environmental Service said, the air quality index on Friday, March 28, 2020 was at the level of 89 or the medium category. Jakarta's air quality is better than Rotterdam in the Netherlands, Berlin in Germany, and Kathmandu in Nepal. A condition that is very rare in the center of government and the economy of our country.

Seventh, protected animals freely breed, because they do not experience interference from humans. Eighth, plastic consumption has decreased, affecting increasingly cleaner waters. The amount of plastic waste disposed of by the public is also expected to decrease. Ninth, fuel consumption also decreases because people rarely use vehicles. On the other hand, the government has tried to reduce the negative impacts. For example, by sharing basic food, cash social assistance, and village funds.

Caring for others is very important to help this country free from the plague of COVID-19. But do not forget, we also have to care about our own health, by getting used to a healthy life and using PPE in the conditions needed.