TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The recent announcement of the first two novel coronavirus or COVID-19 cases in Indonesia has caused panic and aroused public worry. Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto said too much anxiety may affect the immune system that makes the body to be prone to the virus.

“Not only adopt Germas (People’s Healthy Lifedata-style Movement), we must also control our mind. This is called psychoneuroimmunology. If we receive many wrong perceptions continuously that brings anxiety, our immune system will also drop,” said Terawan.

He stressed that efforts to keep a calm mind are the best way to prevent the possibility of contracting the COVID-19. He then called on the public to not panic and stay vigilant while maintaining a healthy lifedata-style. “That’s the most vital thing,” Terawan remarked.

The minister went on to say that a good immune system is a key to avoid the COVID-19. He also appealed to all people to consume sufficient nutritious food and perform hygiene lifedata-style by washing hands regularly after any activity.

Additionally, those who are feeling sick are strongly advised to wear a face mask, while normal people should not wear one except those medical officers in the hospital in a bid to maintain germ-free, Terawan concluded.

ANTARA