The #COVID19 pandemic seems to be worsening by the day in Indonesia. The wave of the corona virus has reached all the way from India. Many provinces have been badly affected, including Papua and West Papua. How much has the Papuan government cared to prevent the virus so far—as part of their health development?
A Woman Named Ance Warikar
We can start from one great example, a Papuan woman named Ance Warikar. She was one of the many Papuan women who had stepped up her game. To prevent the COVID-19 virus from spreading, many women were sharing masks and providing staple foods to the locals impacted the hardest by the pandemic.
The provision of basic food packages was immediately delivered to the community, nursing home administrators, and university student dormitories as a real form of concern among the community in dealing with the impact of the Corona virus.
Ance Warikar, the chairman of the faction of the Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD or Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat Daerah) of The National Democratic Party (or Partai Nasdem – Nasional Demokrat) had high hopes on these actions. Her hope for the children in the orphanages was that these provisions would help them all to get by during the pandemic.
A Woman Named Juliana J. Waromi
Ance was not the only woman—and politician—who were doing her best to prevent the spreading of the Corona virus. The secretary of the People’s Representative Council (DPR), Juliana J. Waromi, had also taken part in the health development in Papua and West Papua.
Juliana advised the Papuans to stick to health protocols to flatten the Corona curve. As we all know, the health protocols include: practicing social distancing and physical distancing, avoiding being in the crowd, washing hands regularly with soap and clear and running water, only going out when it is really necessary, and wearing masks when you go out.
Of course, when returning home, Juliana added that people should change their clothes and shower. Their clothes should be washed thoroughly. These habits would help everyone to avoid getting infected by the Coronavirus.
Another thing that Juliana also suggested was that people should postpone doing ‘mudik’ (which means “going out of town to spend some time with family during religious or public holidays). Although it is not ideal, Juliana recommended communicating with family members during those days via social media, like Facebook, WhatsApp, or even having a video call via Google Meet or Zoom.
Last but not least, Juliana urged and pleaded to the people not to spread hoax news easily, especially regarding COVID-19. Even now, it is best to make sure that the source of the news is legit. Then, you get to clarify it.
A Woman Named Miriam Soumilena
Ance and Juliana were not the only women in the government or local authority who have shown great concern with spreading the Corona virus. Another one who had also stepped up her game in the pandemic era was Miriam Soumilena.
As the head of Jayapura Regency for Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Services, Miriam had been involved in the free mask distribution. According to her, the Government of the Papua Regency had prepared 534,000 masks to be freely distributed to the local residents.
The free mask distribution was done gradually to 139 kampongs and five villages in Jayapura Regency. It had already been estimated that each family would receive about two to three free masks.
According to Miriam, the first stage of this program was for the regency government to distribute 7,050 masks to the locals living around the main roads of Sentani City—all the way to the borders of the city.
Miriam shared the details that as many as 3,550 free masks were distributed to Waibhu District. Meanwhile, 3000 masks were sent to Sentani City District, and 300 more were sent to Yaphi District. Depapre District and Unurumguai each received 300 free masks as well.
More Enforcement, All Hands On Deck
When it comes to preventing the spreading of the Corona virus, the Papuan government has really meant business and still does. Not only the politicians but even the police force was also part of this active, ongoing movement.
The Papuan police force was also feeling concerned with the locals deeply impacted by the spreading of the Corona virus. Many Papuans still had to go out to make a living. For example: working in the local markets, farming, hunting, and even modern-day jobs like becoming ojek online drivers.
So far, the spreading of this virus had gone to nine regencies and cities, from Jayapura City, Jayapura Regency, Merauke, Keerom, Sarmi, Jayawijaya, Mamberamo Tengah, Nabire, and Mimika Regency. Distributing free masks was just the first step of many. What is more important is the continuous socialization of the health protocols, like washing hands, practicing social distancing and physical distancing, and only leaving home when it is really an emergency.
This is how serious the Papuan government when it comes to health development.
