COVID-19 Predicted to End in September; Eijkman: Stay Alert
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28 April 2020 07:09 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology’s Deputy Head of Fundamental Research, Herawati Sudoyo, called on the government and the public to not let the guard down in dealing with COVID-19 pandemic.
Herawati made the appeal following the prediction issued by the Driven Innovation Lab at Singapore University of Technology and Design, in which the pandemic in Indonesia will subside by 97 percent on June 7 and by 99 percent on June 29. And it will be completely gone on September 7.
“There is a three-month gap from 99 to 100 percent. So I think we must not overlook the situation because we don’t really know the character of the virus. So it’s better to be careful,” said Herawati on Monday, April 27.
Herawati reminded the public that the prediction could be realized should the government take proper policies and the public be truly disciplined.
“[The research uses] data as of April 25, and we all realize that the changes in government’s policies and individual behavior play vital roles,” Herawati added.
Previously, a researcher from Singapore University of Technology and Design, Jianxi Luo, published his data-driven prediction concerning the end of the COVID-19 pandemic in the world. He forecasted that Indonesia will 100-percent be freed from the virus on September 7.
Luo hoped his study would suppress the public anxiety, calling on all people to prepare themselves for the next phase of the pandemic, whether it improves or worsens. Such a prediction could also be functioned as a reference for the government to determine future policies.
ANDITA RAHMA