Corona Free, is it possible?

As much as I would like to believe that Indonesia is corona free, I remain skeptical. Indonesia is surrounded by countries which have reported positive case of novel corona virus. Another fact to add is that the biggest tourists in Indonesia are coming from China. And even before halting their flights, the government continue receives 5000 tourists per day with some direct flights from Wuhan, where novel coronavirus is originated, as reported by the New York Times.

Photo by Hush Naidoo on Unsplash

Also, according to New York Times report, a Chinese national was interviewed and said that there is no health test for Chinese nationals in Bali. However, shortly after that article dated 11 February published, another news emerge with headline, "Tourist tests positive for coronavirus eight days after return from Bali: Chinese authorities".

These reports seem very alarming given that the virus goes undetected in Indonesia. Among many of the possible scenario is, that tourist could have affected others whom he interacted during his visit in Indonesia and possibly other passengers inside the plane.

Meanwhile, various local news mentioned how the healthcare minister mentioned that Indonesia is still corona free. Yet, a recent report from a local news mentioned that those who are quarantined are not properly tested. Those who are quarantined are Indonesian nationals who were evacuated amid novel corona virus outbreak in China, especially Wuhan. Another alarming fact is that a suspected PhD student was let go after tested negative from novel corona virus.

If Indonesia is corona free that's good, but reading how various report mentioning the health officials treating it as if it was just a "common cold flu" is something to be concerned about.

Speaking of hygiene, a lot of people in Indonesia will still cough in front of your face. That's rude but the lack of awareness on personal hygiene is terrible that if corona virus is already in Indonesia, it would be hard to contain it. Even where I live, I keep seeing "mask sold out" in pharmacy. That seems to be alarming.

Adding to those report above, some Indonesian are still found eating bats, snakes and other wild animals.

From strait times, it's reported that locals still serve bats and ignore government's request.

Restaurateur Lince Rengkuan - who serves bats, including their heads and wings, stewed in coconut milk and spices - said the secret is preparation. "If you don't cook the bat well then of course it can be dangerous," she said. "We cook it thoroughly and so far the number of customers hasn't gone down at all."

What is more seemingly alarming is the fact that there are people who think eating snake and cobra blood cures and prevents diseases.

In the capital Jakarta, vendors selling skinned snakes and cobra blood on a recent Saturday night didn't have any trouble finding takers. "It's good for you, sir," said one vendor of his slithering fare. "Cures and prevents all diseases."

Regular folks seems to shrug it off and think that Indonesia is still free from corona, but is it really?

Complete news to be found here :
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/11/world/asia/coronavirus-indonesia-bali.html
https://news.detik.com/abc-australia/d-4905171/inilah-kemungkinan-alasan-mengapa-indonesia-dinyatakan-negatif-corona
https://filipinotimes.net/news/2020/02/12/bats-wild-animal-consumption-continues-indonesia-amid-covid-19-outbreak/
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/coronavirus-bat-for-sale-at-indonesias-wildlife-market-despite-virus-warning