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Editorial (922)
May
Since the beginning of 2020, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has given a warning about the earth temperature that will continue to rise. According to WMO, high temperatures can trigger extreme weather in 2020. Based on findings in data analysis, an increase in global temperatures has dire consequences. WMO specifically refers to forest or bush fires in Australia in 2019 that have been going on for months. Something that has never happened before. The disaster claimed lives, destroyed homes, and burned 10 million hectares of land. Scientists said, the world must increase its preparedness due to global warming.
The fact is, global warming has become a reality that must be faced. Canada's Environment Ministry said that the temperature in Montreal on Wednesday (27/5) set the highest record in history for May, due to the heat wave that hit some of the country. The temperature at Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport in Montreal was recorded at 36.6 degrees Celsius, making the city the hottest in Canada. Meanwhile on Tuesday, May 26, New Delhi, the capital of India recorded a temperature of 47.6 degrees Celsius. Most of northern India is facing a severe heat wave. According to local officials, this will continue until the weekend. Meanwhile, the region is currently struggling to face the rapid rise in the number of positive cases of Covid-19 and locusts that destroy crops.
Difficult situation is indeed being experienced by the global community today. In addition to the Covid-19 Pandemic that struck almost the entire world, the threat of economic recession and the real impact of global warming began to be felt in several countries. There is no other more effective way to overcome it than to work together. It requires Global commitment and awareness that the earth needs time and concerted effort to recover and be healthy. If this crisis can be overcome, then it is not impossible that the Earth will be a better place for humans.
May
Anticipation of the Covid-19 pandemic in various countries is different based on the conditions that exist in each country. When seven European and South Asian countries loosened lockdwon rules or large-scale restrictions, several other countries adopted different policies.
Italy, Spain, Denmark, France and Belgium are among the European countries that have relaxed the lockdown rules, while Germany is still implementing them. Most businesses in Italy have been authorized by the government to operate after two months of closing. Outside the city of Madrid, the Spanish government allows citizens to gather up to ten people.
In Asia, India and Pakistan are among those that relaxed the lockdown rules. Previously, India strictly prohibited people from leaving the house.
The European government has eased lockdown rules and restrictions on community movements by taking into account a significant reduction in transmission rates and deaths due to Covid 19. In Italy, if at the end of March at least 900 people died, earlier this week within 24 hours there were only 145 deaths . The Italian government, apparently believes that business activities do not have to wait for Covid-19 to be completely over.
In China, the country from which Covid-19 originated, millions of citizens have returned to the tourist sites post lockdown. In Hanoi, Vietman, the situation in public places, shopping centers and community gatherings looks back to normal.
What happens in countries that have begun to loosen lockdowns or even ended large scale restrictions is the result of prevention efforts. Government regulations are implemented and followed consistently by the community. Vietnam, for example, showed very progressive results. The country bordering China from the beginning made strict arrangements, knowing Covid 19 was present in the neighboring country. The results are truly impressive. Vietnam, which is a leading economy in the ASEAN region, has begun to rebuild its economy.
The strict lockdown rules and restrictions on movement, along with the discipline of citizens are key to successfully overcoming Covid 19. Other countries that are still struggling to fight the pandemic with an impact on their economic life, must learn from countries that have apparently succeeded in dealing with Covid-19.
May
Covid-19 which began to hit Indonesia since early March this year resulted in the postponement of the Simultaneous Regional Head Election from September 23 to December 9, 2020. This was decided through Government Regulation in Lieu of Law signed by President Joko Widodo on May 4, 2020. It also accommodates the option of further postponement if the Covid-19 pandemic has not subsided and has the potential to disrupt the course of the elections.
The General Election Commission had submitted three scenarios to postpone the elections. First, the election is postponed for three months from the original plan, or carried out on December 9, 2020. The second scenario is for six months or around March 17, 2021; and the third one is for 12 months to 29 September 2021. The House of Representatives finally took the first option, which is 9 December 2020.
However, taking into account various considerations, this decision was considered by many related stakeholders as an impossible mission. An epidemiologist from the University of Indonesia, Syahrizal Syarif once said that it would take at least six months for life to return to normal after the pandemic is declared over. While at present, he said, the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic in Indonesia has not yet reached its peak. Related to the 2020 elections which are postponed until December 2020, Chairman of the General Election Commission, Arief Budiman during an online discussion entitled 'Building Democracy Amidst Pandemic', Friday (05/15) revealed pessimism it could be carried out if people’s discipline in conducting physical distancing is very low. According to Arief, the Commission must start the stages of the elections in early June 2020 so that the elections can be carried out on time. It is impossible to do if the Large-Scale Social Restrictions are still in place.
Organizing local elections especially simultaneously in several provinces, cities and districts throughout Indonesia is not an easy problem. It takes time and stages before reaching the actual implementation, starting from the selection of the voting committee, verification of the support requirements for individual candidates, the formation of voter data updating officers, as well as updating and preparing voter lists. All of these have to be postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Postponing the elections until the right time is a wise step to do since the government and related authorities will have more time to prepare themselves. Moreover, carrying out elections amidst the pandemic has the potential to increase spending, because each polling station must run health protocols, such as physical distancing, the provision of masks, gloves, hand sanitizers and thermo guns.
But delaying the democratic process for too long is not without risk. Because it means that delaying the determination of new regional heads and their ranks with all the accompanying policies is related to the future of a region.
Hopefully the Cocvid-19 pandemic ends soon.
May
COVID-19 pandemic hasn't ended yet. Some countries, which had started to relax the lockdown rules, returned to their original policies. The World Health Organization reiterates the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in several countries that have relaxed restrictions.
WHO Director General, Thedros Adhanom identified new cases in Germany, China and South Korea after the governments lifted restrictions.
Recebtly, the local government in Wuhan China has announced the existence of new COVID-19 cases. Actually, one month after the lockdown policy was lifted, there were no new cases recorded in Wuhan. It was reported from Germany that there were new cases after the government had gradually reopened business activities.
In Korea, students must continue to learn from home. The South Korean government had originally announced that on Wednesday 13 May, schools would be reopened. But the plan was cancelled because of the new COVID-19 case.
Learning from home is going to be extended over the coming week. In South Korea, positive cases of Covid-19 went up last weekend and reached nearly 11 thousand people with 35 new cases. South Korea's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said, the increase in cases occurred due to social interactions at nightclubs.
Therefore, in addition to extending teaching and learning activities at home, the South Korean government decided to close all night entertainment facilities around Seoul. Local authorities are trying to trace down thousands of visitors to Itaiwon, an entertainment district in Seoul.
From the data reported by WHO and the actions and policies taken by the governments of South Korea and Germany, it is proven that the corona pandemic still threatens various corners of the world. Even Wuhan, which is the origin of the spread of Corona, and has been declared free, is proven to still record new cases of COVID-19.
The governments in countries stricken with the COVID-19 pandemic must not be careless. People must also refrain from feeling free without restrictions. Precautions and emergency measures must still be carried out in countries that have the potential to have new COVID-19 infections, including in Indonesia.
May
A few days ago, the government of Indonesia issued Circular No. 4 of 2020 concerning the Criteria for Limiting Travel for Persons in the Context of the Covid-19 Handling. In the Circular Letter issued by the Task Force for the Acceleration of Covid-19 Handling, the criteria for the exclusion of traveling by public transportation are for certain people who must do activities related to handling Covid-19. Such people are those who work in government or private institutions that carry out service activities for the Acceleration of Covid-19 Handling, specifically in the fields of defense, security and public order, health services, basic services, supporting services for basic services, and services of important economic functions.
Other exceptions are made for patients who need emergency health services or people whose core family members have been seriously ill or have died. In addition, the exception is also for repatriation of Indonesian citizens abroad, especially Migrant Workers and students and the repatriation of people for special reasons by the government to the area of origin, in accordance with applicable regulations.
This Circular regulates the requirements that must be met before traveling using public transportation such as planes, ships, trains and inter-city buses, namely by showing ID cards, letter of assignments, negative test results of Covid-19, and so forth.
Although the requirements are quite strict, supervision still needs to be done. It is possible that there are certain elements who try to take advantage of this opportunity by manipulating the required documents just because they want to go home or on vacation. It is important to do an earlier and more thorough examination to avoid violations. One more thing that is also important is to ensure that transport companies and passengers continue to run the Covid-19 health protocol, such as physical distancing while in the mode of transportation.
May
The issue of the death of Kim Jong-un - North Korea's Leader, has been revealed. After rumours about his illness and death in early April and three weeks absence, the North Korean Leader appeared to inaugurate a factory. Speculation about Kim's whereabouts and health condition peaked when he did not attend the anniversary of the birth of his grandfather, Kim Il-sung, who was the founder of North Korea. Moreover, the North Korean Leader was again not seen when he was to receive a World War II medal from Russian President, Vladimir Putin. The award was given because Kim preserved the memory of Soviet soldiers killed in North Korea, according to the Russian Embassy in Pyongyang.
The world indeed often speculates about the condition and existence of the North Korean Leader. This is certainly inseparable from North Korea's bargaining position in terms of world nuclear weapons control. Kim's disappearance from the public occurred when Pyongyang's talks with Washington regarding North Korea's nuclear weapons came to a halt, after three meetings between Leader Kim Jong-un and US President, Donald Trump. If Kim is unable to continue the talk or even dies first, it will increase uncertainty in this negotiation process. Naturally, the international world then highlighted the absence of Kim Jong-un with various speculations.
For North Korea itself, the absence of Kim Jong-un is also influential, because this supreme leader’s authority includes the ruling Labour Party and also the military. All major decisions require his approval. The absence of Kim Jong-un means the vacuum in some positions of North Korean life, not to mention the emergence of a new issue about the construction of one more nuclear reactor on the North Korean peninsula.
The world is indeed in the midst of uncertainty, whether it concerns nuclear weapons, conflicts in various regions, or the current hot issue, the Corona pandemic (Covid-19). The existence and condition of Kim Jong-un's health completes this uncertainty.
May
The distress that occurred simultaneously in all corners of the earth, apparently is able to move the conscience of the world leaders to join hands to fight it. The COVID 19 pandemic, which is spread throughout the world, encourages national leaders to join forces against, overcome and prevent it.
Solidarity against the COVID emerged at a meeting of leaders from around the world held by the European Union on Tuesday, May 5, 2020. Although conducted online, the distance between countries did not dampen the commitment of 40 state leaders to jointly fight COVID 19.
As revealed by European Union President Ursula von der Leyen, who hosted the meeting, leaders of countries and governments agreed to donate funds to develop Corona vaccines and finance researches for Covid 19 patients. Donations are not only made by government leaders on behalf of the country, but also by research institutes, UN and non-profit or philanthropic organizations. Donations collected reached 8 billion US dollars or 120 trillion rupiah. France, Germany and Saudi Arabia promised aid of around 8 trillion rupiah each. Japan even promised donations of more than 12 trillion rupiah. The European Union president also noted the commitment of singer Madonna to contribute at least 15 billion rupiah. Countries that did not participate in the meeting initiated by the European Union, were the United States and Russia. While China, the first country to be infected by Corona in December 2019, was only represented by its Ambassador.
Global Solidarity to combat this distress is the first time happened. As the world leaders said at the meeting, this was the first joint movement ever took place.
The realization of a joint movement between government, along with international organizations, non-profit bodies, foundations, professionals, artists, industry and scientists, at least shows that globally Solidarity can be realized on the basis of awareness of overcoming problems. This can be fresh wind amid disputes between countries, armed conflicts and hostility.
Hopefully this initiative to overcome global problems will not end with the discovery of the Corona and Convid 19 vaccines. So that the dream of a peaceful world can be realized.
May
Since the COVID-19 pandemic struck Indonesia at the end of March 2020, the government has appealed to the community to limit activities outside the home by carrying out learning, working and worshiping activities at home. The home study policy was supported by the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture with the issuance of Circular Number 4 of 2020 which contained the implementation of educational policies in the emergency period of the corona virus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The Ministry of Education and Culture also applies a temporary school closure policy and moves the teaching and learning process from school to home. With this policy, the entire teaching and learning process from teachers to students is done online.
For some Indonesian people, especially in urban areas, accessing the internet is not difficult. The internet has become a part of people's lives in this country. Recent research data from the Hootsuite content management service and the social media marketing agency We Are Social in a report titled "Digital 2020" says that currently, 64 percent of the total population in Indonesia has been connected to the internet.
However, what about people who live in rural or border areas who cannot access the internet because of the lack of available networks and limited fund?
Difficulties in organizing online learning activities were conveyed by Titis Kartikawati, a teacher in Sanggau, West Kalimantan, during a virtual press conference entitled "Inspirations of Education Fighters during the Pandemic Period COVID-19" in Jakarta, Saturday (05/02/2020). She said that not all regions in Sanggau have internet networks because there are so many blank spots in the area. Besides, most parents work as farmers or vegetable traders, so buying internet quota is not their priority.
Teaching and learning activities during COVID-19 pandemic are not only the responsibility of the Ministry of Education and Culture, teachers, and parents, but also the responsibility of all levels of Indonesian society, including the media. Public television (TVRI) and radio (RRI), for example, are media that participate in broadcasting learning programs for students at home. This method helps teachers in delivering subject matter to students, especially for those living in remote areas who do not have internet access.
Hopefully, the obstacles encountered in carrying out teaching and learning activities will not dampen the enthusiasm of teachers and students and parents during the COVID-19 pandemic. In any case, both during the pandemic and normal conditions, teaching and learning activities must still be carried out.
May
The number of deaths from Covid-19 in European countries reached 120,140 at the end of last week (CNN data 25/4). The highest case of death occurred in Italy, followed by Spain, France and England. Citing AFP, there are at least 2, 82 million cases of corona virus in the world with 60 percent of the total deaths occurred on the European Continent. But since the beginning of April the case of the spread of the corona virus in Europe began to slow down. It is hoped that the conducive situation will continue into May 2020.
European countries began to prepare for loosening of their area restrictions / lockdowns. Italy, for example, will begin to loosen the restrictions gradually starting on 4 May. The Netherlands plans to open lockdown on May 11, while continuing to take strict steps. Schools in the Netherlands will open on June 1, while cafes and restaurants will open on May 19. Germany, like Italy, will loosen lockdown on May 4. While Spain plans to stop lockdown in the second half of May 2020.
For European countries, it seems that May brought new enthusiasm after the previous months were overwhelmed by this corona virus. However, there are still many other countries in various parts of the world just entering the beginning of the pandemic. It is estimated that this will still take a few months to control.
It is hoped that the easing of Regional Restrictions in several European countries this May will be successful and does not pose a risk of new transmission. So that it can be a reference for other regions that are currently still struggling to overcome the Corona Covid19 virus attack.
April
The development of the Covid-19 pandemic in various parts of the world became a determinant of government policies in countries affected by the dangerous spread of virus. In Europe, several countries plan to stop the Lockdown policy. From Vienna, it was reported that the Austrian government would immediately loosen the lockdown next week. If it is carried out then in the European continent, Austria is the first country to reopen shopping centers and restaurants, although physical distancing between visitors would still be maintained. Apart from Austria, another country that will soon be easing the lockdown is Denmark. Meanwhile, the Italian government, after two months banning its citizens from leaving the house, is also beginning to relax the lockdown. Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said he would relax restrictions on certain parts of the country this weekend. Italy, which started the lockdown on March 9, is the country most affected by the Covid 19th pandemic. In Eastern Europe, the Government of the Czech Republic will revoke travel restrictions and allow foreigners to enter the country.
The policy to end the lockdown will also be carried out by the Iranian government. Even the lockdown in Tehran reportedly has also been revoked. Several provinces in Iran have begun to relax tight restrictions last week by allowing citizens to travel. Even so, schools and sports activities are still not permitted yet. The World Health Organization, warned the Iranian government that COVID 19 was still raging in the country. Iran is an Asian country after China, which suffered the Corona virus attack with the most death toll. Some members of Parliament and government officials have even been infected by the easily spread virus.
In the United States, the Central Government encouraged easing of rules in several states. Through his twitter President Donald Trump gave signals for loosening lockdowns in Michigan, and Virginia. New York, said to be the heart of the economy and trade of the United States, has been pressed by its citizens to end the lockdown. New Yorkers are urging the government to immediately revoke rules deemed to severely limit social and economic activities.
Loosening of the lock down is of course carried out with consideration of decreasing corona Covid-19 spread and the number of infected in each country. Western Europe seriously felt the economic impact of the Corona attack and the United States too. Though of course, on a different scale. Therefore, policy changes related to the development of the Covid-19 virus, differ from one country to another. Iran and the United States, for example, consider ending the lockdown because they feel the corona's adverse impact on the country's economy.
It is still uncertain when the Covid-19 pandemic will really end. So it cannot be ensured, when the global economy and the economy of each country will gradually recover. It could be that after corona, there will be changes in economic and political order and relations between countries.