Indonesia is using ‘ghosts’ to scare people in order to stay home during the coronavirus lockdown
In an attempt to make people respect the quarantine lockdown, a village in Indonesia is using volunteers dressed as ghosts.
The place is located in Kepuh village, on Java Island and as of last month, it started deploying the patrols at night. The reason why the locals took this decision is because ghostly figures known as "pocong" are said to represent the trapped souls of the dead in Indonesia, BBC reports.
So far, Indonesia has reported 4,557 new cases with the deadly virus infection and 399 people have died.
But many people believe that the total number of people infected are much higher, as the authorities are trying to hide the real number in order not to create panic within the local population.
However, on the other hand, the unusual tactic had the opposite effect - people coming out to try to spot the volunteers.
A few weeks going forward, locals say that things have improved:
"Since the pocong appeared, parents and children have not left their homes," resident Karno Supadmo told Reuters. "And people will not gather or stay on the streets after evening prayers."
Anjar Panca, keeper at a local mosque, told the Jakarta Post the initiative worked because it reminded residents of the potential deadly effects of the disease.
The initiative was organised by the head of the village's youth group in co-ordination with local police.
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Chinese authorities are cracking down on negative media coverage and social media comments about the coronavirus outbreak, threatening anyone who breaches their rules with many years in jail.
The government authorities even issued an order for an article that looked at the possible negative impact of the outbreak on China’s economy. And indeed, today - the World Health Organization declared coronavirus a public health emergency of international concern
On Wednesday, the World Health Organization was effusive in its praise of the Chinese government’s response to the coronavirus outbreak. These efforts include arresting dozens of social media users who spread “false information without verification.”
One of those arrested turned out to be a doctor to contain the virus who shared information about the unknown illness with a private WeChat group. The doctor, who was forced to sign a document saying he would abide by the law, has since been infected with the coronavirus and remains in a critical condition.
China’s huge online censorship system, known as the Great Firewall, is also censoring any information the government deems to be “rumor.”
Examples of this include posts by families of infected people seeking help, by people living in quarantined cities documenting their daily life, and by those criticizing the government’s handling of the crisis.
In a bid to make sure people don’t even try and spread such “rumors” on Chinese social media, the government announced this week that anyone who tries to "disrupt social order" by posting on social media information from sources other than state-run media, will face between three and seven years in jail.
Indonesia's foreign policy is constantly evolving in response to the changing dynamics of the global landscape. The country faces new challenges and opportunities in the 21st century, including:
- The Rise of China and the Indo-Pacific Region: Indonesia seeks to navigate the complex geopolitical dynamics of the Indo-Pacific region, balancing its relationship with China with its commitment to regional stability and cooperation.
- The Challenges of Global Security: Indonesia faces evolving security threats, including terrorism, cybercrime, and maritime security challenges. The country seeks to strengthen its defense capabilities and collaborate with international partners to address these threats.
- Promoting Sustainable Development and Economic Growth: Indonesia aims to achieve sustainable development and inclusive economic growth, addressing poverty, inequality, and environmental challenges while promoting innovation and technological advancement.
- Navigating the Global Digital Age: Indonesia seeks to harness the potential of technology while addressing the challenges of cybersecurity, data privacy, and the digital divide.
Source: JBR JBR JBR JBR JBR JBR JBR JBR
An Italian priest infected with coronavirus gave up his respirator which his parishioners bought for him to a younger patient — and then died from the deadly virus.
Giuseppe Berardelli, the main priest in the town of Casnigo, died last week in Lovere hospital, after he refused to take the respirator after finding out the other younger patient, who was a complete stranger, also needed it.
He was one of at least 60 priests who died in Italy this month as the European nation was the epicenter of the deadly pandemic and suffered the biggest amount of deaths, while having the oldest population in Europe.
People living in Casnigo were reported to have applauded from their windows and balconies as the coffin was taken for burial. There was no funeral, but people tried their best to express their regrets and love.
On Tuesday, Pope Francis led a prayer for the deceased doctors and priests, "thanking God for their heroic example in serving those who were sick".
Italy has 63,927 people with Covid-19, the disease caused by the virus. So far it has reported 6,077 deaths and 7,432 people who have been discharged from hospital after recovering.
Over the past few months, the coronavirus pandemic seemed to stay out of the African continent. Coronavirus came around in the world's largest concentration of people with HIV. However this is no longer the case as people are now starting to prepare for the worst.
The first cases of COVID-19 in sub-Saharan Africa were confirmed just three weeks ago but the rate of infection in countries like South Africa is climbing easily.
With more than 200 people infected, the government has announced that schools are shutting down and large gatherings are banned.
The police is arresting citizens who test positive to the coronavirus and refuse to go into quarantine.
However, the authorities can't stop the coronavirus spreading and just about everyone in this country understands it, including South Africa's health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize.
"In any community, 60% to 70% of the population will be affected by the virus. We can't hide that... most of us will have this virus," he told a group of doctors in the capital Pretoria.
He asked the nation to be careful and understand the harmful effects of coronavirus, while South Africa has "unique dynamics" he said, with the world's largest concentration of people with HIV, plus a significant number with tuberculosis.
Labor department claims that 3.3 million Americans lost their job, beating a previous record of 695,000 in October 1982.
The record of jobless people in the US came out the last week as the Covid-19 virus shut down a large part of America’s economy.
According to the labor department, the number of new jobless people cases are claimed by individuals, who are seeking unemployment benefits rose by more than 3 million to 3.28 million from 281,000 the previous week. The situation hits the highest number ever reported, beating the previous record of 695,000 claims filed in comparation with 2 October 1982.
Nearly every state in US felt the impact of Covid-19, the labor department mentioned. Service industries mainly, accommodation and food services, were hard affected. The healthcare and social assistance, arts, entertainment and recreation, transportation and warehousing, but also manufacturing industries felt the impact.
Trump is concerned that the quarantine measures could have more harmful impact than the virus itself , an opinion that is highlighted by the economists and health experts. On Wednesday Trump tweeted: “The real people want to get back to work ASAP. We will be stronger than ever before!”
The Senate agreed on passing the largest aid package ever. This being an effort to help struggling American workers, businesses and hospitals during this pandemic. The bill includes $1,200 checks for most Americans.
The House leaders expressed optimism Thursday about swift passage of the emergency $2.2 trillion relief bill aimed at mitigating the financial problems caused by the coronavirus pandemic but faced a possible procedural needs that could delay sending the measure to President Trump.
