TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo called on the public to start making peace with the Covid-19 pandemic. Previously, President Jokowi made a similar appeal.

“Use local wisdom. Perhaps with arts while keeping [physical] distancing… Don’t romanticize this condition further, we must live, win, and survive,” said Ganjar during a discussion with the Covid-19 mitigation task force at Graha BNPB, Jakarta, on Tuesday, May 19.

Therefore, the government must start preparing and calculating until when the social restrictions would be imposed. Various efforts need to be done with creativity to deal with the impacts.

However, those steps will not set aside the health protocols in order to prevent transmission of diseases, such as wearing face masks and frequently washing hands.

All these obligations, Ganjar said, are a package that must be held by individuals as a form of awareness of maintaining health amid the pandemic.

“Now with those steps, let us make peace with Covid-19. Let’s just make peace. We must change our behavior, keep our distance [with each other], and wear masks,” he added.

Moreover, if health protocols are not adopted, there should be actions to increase awareness. Besides, Ganjar Pranowo mentioned that providing stimulus for the community such as labor-intensive programs at the village level and various other steps are necessary to ensure the sustainability of the community economy.

ANTARA