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Pandemic fatigue ‘the cause’ of growing defiance against COVID-19 rules
Indonesia has seen people defying health protocols in recent weeks as they are getting weary of the COVID-19 restrictions over a year into the pandemic, which still shows no end in sight.
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A joint team of police, military, transportation agency and Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) personnel stops and checks a vehicle about to board a ferry at Bakauheni Port in Lampung on May 8. (Antara/Ardiansyah)
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ndonesia has seen rampant laxness toward the health protocols in recent weeks, with people growing increasingly weary of the restrictions more than a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, which still shows no signs of ending.
In the early days of Jakarta’s COVID-19 outbreak in March 2020, Dimas Tri, 31, was among the residents who were strict about complying with the health protocols to protect themselves from the disease. He never missed a chance at bathing or washing his hands with soap after coming home from work, nor did he neglect carrying a bottle of hand sanitizer with him whenever he went outside.
But it is a different story now, as Dimas has started skipping handwashing or packing hand sanitizer. He also ignores his younger sister, a health worker, whenever she reminds him to abide by the health protocols.
“At the start, I was afraid of contracting the virus since I have [underlying health conditions]. But as the pandemic drags on, it is becoming increasingly frustrating and tiring to follow all those health rules,” Dimas told The Jakarta Post on Friday.
He added that since getting vaccinated in April, he was feeling more confident and safe about eating out, going to the cinemas or visiting relatives during Idul Fitri earlier this month.
“I have stopped following COVID-19 developments in the news and [on] social media. Sometimes, I feel the pandemic is already over, although I know it isn’t,” Dimas said.
Read also: Indonesian Muslims celebrate second Idul Fitri under pandemic shadow
