BANDUNG, unpas.ac.id – Covid-19 survivors often get negative stigma from the society. They mostly get scorned and neglected within their environment. This condition may probably occur because of inaccurate and biased information related to Covid-19 virus. On the other hand, public awareness to apply and implement health protocols is also still low, so it needs a humanist and intensive approach.
Seeing such condition, Faculty of Social and Political Science (FISIP) Universitas Pasundan held a socialization as form of Community Service (Pengabdian kepada Masyarakat, PKM) to make people understand more about the virus and not to make them misguided.
It was confirmed by the teacher of Unpas FISIP Communication Studies as well as Vice Dean III Dr. H. Deden Ramdan, M.Si, accompanied by team members of PKM Zahrah Nabila Azka, S.Ikom., M.Ikom., on Monday (July 5th, 2021)
“The activity is like a dissemination of how important health protocols are. They include 5M principles (memakain masker, menjaga jarak, menghindari kerumunan, mengurangi mobilitas) in preventing Covid-19 pandemic in Desa Cipeujeuh, Kecamatan Pacet, Kabupaten Bandung,” he explained.
The high number of contagions which has recently become more massive has forced a number of countries to set policies so that people reduce their activities outside their home.
“Seeing these increase, Indonesian government urges people to work, study and worship at their home. The low level of public awareness in breaking the chain of the spread of Covid-19 in Desa Cipeujeuh is a special concern for our program,” he said.
Based on the survey carried out by Unpas FISIP PKM, local communities still tend to find it difficult to follow the health protocol properly. Therefore, an understanding of the importance of implementing and tightening the protocol must be communicated more broadly, completely, and correctly.
“When we fail to communicate it, people would assume another thing based on their personal thought. This may create indifferent behavior regarding the health protocol implementation,” he said.
After analyzing few problems at the village, Unpas FISIP PKM decided to focus on the making of poster and video of Covid-19 prevention, health education and brief explanation for several group villages.
“There are three methods we apply, namely education, socialization and program evaluation. The data was collected by using interviews, questionnaire and documentation,” he continued.
Other than the low awareness of the importance of health protocol implementation, lack of education has also made the people in Desa Cipeujeuh still found to neglect and be neglected if they are confirmed positive for Covid-19.
However, after having a dissemination and a more humanist approach, the community at least is willing to participate to the activities enthusiastically. By sending comprehensive information, communities are slowly getting to understand more and realize the importance of applying health protocols to prevent Covid-19.
“People only need to be held and protected. They are willing to listen, only if it is easy to understand. That way, they are able to grasp the meaning and obey the policies for the common good. Most importantly, it is necessary to coordinate every element so that there is no misunderstanding between the community and village officials,” he ended. (Reta)*
