Jakarta – National COVID-19 task force chief Doni Monardo has issued a stern warning to the public about the importance of following COVID-19 protocols at all times, explaining that a person could carry the virus without knowing it and end up transmitting it to their family members and those closest to them.
"COVID-19 is dangerous. But, the humans who carry COVID-19 are far more dangerous," Doni said in a statement on Sunday, as quoted by tempo.co.
Doni said that many people were continuing to ignore health protocols, such as maintaining physical distance, wearing a mask and avoiding crowds, as they assumed they were immune to COVID-19 or even doubted there was a pandemic at all.
"We need to realize that discipline is a must at all times. If we are even just a little careless and ignore the health protocols, we will be exposed," he said. "COVID-19 is real. It is not fabricated and not a conspiracy."
Doni, who is also the head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), also reminded the community that those engaging in activities outside of their homes without properly protecting themselves would end up harming their family members and those closest to them.
Around 7 percent of COVID-19 patients currently receiving treatment at the Wisma Atlet COVID-19 emergency hospital in Jakarta said they had rarely or never left home prior to their treatment, Doni said, reiterating his previous statement.
There are no more safe places, he said, adding that the threat of infection was ever-present and that humans would continue to be the intermediaries of the virus.
Doni explained that if a vaccine was found, it would not completely eliminate the virus and only provide stronger immunity against infection.
"COVID-19 will continue to exist. Those who are vaccinated will be able to withstand it, while those who are not vaccinated will still be exposed," he said. (syk)