[ad_1]
JAKARTA: In Central Java, officials have disguised themselves as ghosts and stood at the entrance to a village to discourage people from leaving home.
In Jakarta, those who violated COVID-19 protocols were asked to lie down in a coffin to reflect on their mistakes.
Indonesia has one of the highest numbers of COVID-19 cases in Southeast Asia with more than 350,000 infections as of Friday (October 16).
To break the chain of infection, local authorities have tried to think outside the box to encourage people to adhere to health protocols.
Some regions have imposed a fine for those who violate the rules, such as not wearing a mask in public.
Since not everyone can afford to pay a fine, local authorities have tried to be creative when it comes to imposing punishments with a deterrent effect, such as scaring people and embarrassing the public.
Experts interviewed by the CNA said that certain methods can scare people, but are not necessarily effective in ensuring adherence to health protocols.
Instead, they say public education and setting good examples of health protocols can be more effective.
Government workers wearing protective suits carry a mock-up of a coffin of a COVID-19 victim on the sidewalk of a main highway to warn people of the dangers of the disease as the outbreak continues in Jakarta, Indonesia, on 28 August 2020. (Photo: Reuters / Willy Kurniawan)
URBAN MYTHS AND LEGENDS
Local authorities on the most populous island of Java in Indonesia have identified urban legends and myths as potential tools to get people to comply with health protocols.
A widely known ghost in Java is a cloaked ghost, locally called a pocong.
It is believed to be the trapped soul of a dead person. Dressed in white, he jumps in the middle of the night and chases people who are deemed to have misbehaved.
READ: ‘Ghosts’ scare Indonesians in and away from coronavirus
In April, officials in Kepuh, Central Java province, for example, decided to dress up as the ghost. They stood guard at the entrance of their village to scare people into staying home.
“Since the pocong appeared, parents and children have not left their homes,” said resident Karno Supadmo.
“And people will not gather or stay in the streets after the evening prayers.”
In May, when many Indonesians returned home to celebrate Idul Fitri, Sragen officials wanted people to be quarantined for 14 days upon arrival in the regency.
Those who violated the regulation had to be quarantined in a ‘haunted’ quarantine house to ensure they would not break health protocols again.
CASTLES AND CEMETERIES
In Jakarta, public officials told those who violated health protocols to lie down in an empty coffin and reflect on their misconduct.
Workers prepare new graves at the government-provided Muslim burial area for victims of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at the Pondok Ranggon cemetery complex in Jakarta, Indonesia, on September 16, 2020. Photo taken on September 16, 2020. REUTERS / Ajeng Dinar Ulfiana
This method was met with backlash as some pointed out that the coffin could be a COVID-19 hotspot in itself. Subsequently, officials canceled the program.
However, the city government is confident that parading empty coffins or displaying them in public areas will remind people of death if they do not observe strict COVID-19 health protocols.
“Maybe the action taken by the leadership is a bit extreme, but this is how we hope to raise awareness,” said the head of Mampang Prapatan sub-district in South Jakarta Djaharuddin.
In East Java, Gresik regency authorities punish offenders by forcing them to dig graves for COVID-19 victims, while in Sidoarjo regency health protocol violators must clean local cemeteries.
Meanwhile, some residents of Bogor, West Java who violated health protocols were forced to sit in an ambulance next to a coffin containing a dead body.
PUBLIC EMBARRASSMENT
In addition to scaring people and reminding them of death, public embarrassment has also been widely used.
In Jakarta and Bogor, some violators of the health protocol were forced to do push-ups and sweep the streets.
“We supervise (people) in public places or facilities, places of socio-cultural activities, as well as we monitor people who do not wear masks, while we give various sanctions in accordance with government regulations. These range from a written warning, even social work and fines, ”said Arifin, head of Jakarta’s law enforcement unit, who, like many Indonesians, has only one name.
LEE: Bali prays as COVID-19 hits tourism on the Island of the Gods
In Bengkulu province, Sumatra, some offenders had to pose for a photo with a necklace showing that they had violated health protocols.
Meanwhile, criminals in Jayapura, Papua, were ridiculed by wearing an orange vest with the words “stubborn person” emblazoned on it.
In Pulang Pisau, Central Kalimantan, dancing with clowns is a punishment for those who think they can get away with it without obeying COVID-19 regulations.
Government workers wearing protective suits carry a mock-up of a coffin of a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) victim on a main road to warn people of the dangers of the disease as the outbreak continues in Jakarta, Indonesia , on August 28, 2020. (Photo: REUTERS / Willy Kurniawan)
Some other measures, such as punishing people to sing the national anthem in public, quoting verses from the Quran, and reciting the national Pancasila philosophy have also been implemented in places like Bogor and Sidoarjo.
ARE THESE MEASURES EFFECTIVE?
Commenting on the effectiveness of these measures, Veronica Anastasia Melany Kaihatu, a professor of social psychology at Pembangunan Jaya University, said that trying to scare people and publicly embarrass them will not educate or convince the public about the danger of COVID-19.
People will only feel frightened or shocked temporarily, but this will not necessarily lead to a change in behavior.
“Unfortunately, after a period of shock and fear, and the person can think clearly, they would see that experience as cheating or teasing (by officials),” he said.
“Digging graves, sitting in an ambulance, provides insight that, in fact, there are many people who have died from COVID-19. Then, at least, awareness about the COVID-19 situation increases, ”said Ms. Kaihatu.
FILE PHOTO: A man with a protective face walks past a mural promoting awareness of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Jakarta, Indonesia, on October 2, 2020. REUTERS / Ajeng Dinar Ulfiana
But he doubts that moral obligations arise from such punishments. Those methods may not be the most effective, he said.
Ms. Kaihatu noted that regardless of governments’ efforts to inform the public about the danger of COVID-19 and the health protocols one must adhere to, many do not really understand what the pandemic is.
“Difficulties arise when government information is confusing. Shopping centers are open but schools are closed. Previously, the use of any mask was allowed. Now, diving masks (single-layer masks usually made of rubber cloth) are prohibited.
“Things like this make people apathetic because information changes so fast and forces them to change their behavior over and over again. Ultimately, trust decreases and leads to a decrease in cooperative behavior,” he explained.
READ: Indonesian capital Jakarta to ease coronavirus restrictions starting Monday
THE ROLE OF PUBLIC EDUCATION
Ms. Kaihatu said the government should continue to educate the public about COVID-19, perhaps through new media, but in simpler language that is easy for people to internalize.
He also pointed out that it is necessary to inform the public how many people have already been wearing masks on a daily basis so that those who have not, understand that there are others who have been sacrificing themselves.
“So far, many have been reprimanded for not wearing masks, but not many have been rewarded for following health protocols. So this can be an alternative approach, ”Ms. Kaihatu said.
FILE PHOTO: People wearing protective masks appear near a mural promoting awareness of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Jakarta, Indonesia, on October 2, 2020. REUTERS / Ajeng Dinar Ulfiana
Psychologist Rustika Thamrin agreed. She told CNA that clearly educating people on the goals of implementing and adhering to health protocols is key.
Therefore, authorities can turn to influential figures, such as religious leaders and public officials, to serve as role models who consistently adhere to health protocols.
He also suggested that the information can be spread through social media and using popular apps like TikTok.
“Using celebrities who are the idols of young people is also an effective way,” Mdm Thamrin told CNA.
READ: Coronavirus cases in Indonesia exceed 300,000
The psychologist emphasized that discipline can be developed by being consistent, using examples from leaders and having accurate data.
“Therefore, people will trust and realize that discipline is absolutely necessary for the good of all people,” said Mdm Thamrin.
People must understand: “What do I get out of this?” Mdm Thamrin said, adding that the media should show more success stories from countries or regions that have managed to limit the chain of infection.
Meanwhile, Jakarta-based public health expert Nurul Nadia Luntungan said that one of the most important elements in implementing social sanctions is in the area of enforcement.
“What the government needs to do is build a system that is relatively easy to enforce, that can be evaluated and that there is a clear incentive,” he told CNA.
CHECK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the coronavirus outbreak and its developments
Download our app or subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak: https://cna.asia/telegram
