UNS — Three researchers from Disaster Study Center (Pusat Studi Bencana – PSB) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta held a Socialization and Coaching on Kelurahan Tangguh Covid-19 (Village Strength against Covid-19) online on Wednesday (9/9/2020). The program from Prof. Chatarina Muryani, Dr. Yasin Yusup and Sorja Koesuma M.Si is intended for four urban villages in Surakarta such as Sangkrah, Semanggi, Kedung Lumbu, and Joyosuran.
The three researchers together with Lusi Nuryanti, Ph.D. from Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) and Agus Subagyo, S.iT. M.Gizi from Surakarta Health Office aimed to deliver two materials in different aspects. Lusi, a Faculty Member from Psychology Program UMS discussed the psychological impact of the pandemic which is likely to affect people. In a material entitled ‘Building Psychological Well-Being amid the Pandemic’, she described the six impacts of the pandemic, including anxiety, excessive fear, confusion, stress, stigma, and trust issues. There are dynamic changes in trust issues both to oneself, healthcare personnel, government, and other parties. While the impact on confusion on information access, seeking help, and worries on the future.
“For example, university students nearing their graduation or completion, planning their graduation, and where to work. But with this condition, as if the future had to adjust to circumstances and was uncertain. Then the impact of stress which result in trouble sleeping, eating problem, sensitivity, and bad mood. Reading the update on the cases also brings stress and anxiety, if this happened, there is a need to select the information and using the phone only when necessary,” Lusi explained.
To minimize the psychological impact, Lusi shared several tips. She called it a way to be tough, both in community and personally. At the community level, two sectors that require additional strength are food resilience and health services. Becoming strong personally among others, by implementing a healthy lifestyle, maintaining communication, managing stress, managing activities, have a purpose in life, and get closer to God. The activities that need to be managed are the routine activities and hobbies that can be done during the pandemic. Routine activities will keep brains and our physique moving and reduce time to think about insignificant matters that might lead to anxiety.
The next speaker, Agus Subagyo, the Head of Section for Community Nutrition Improvement of the Surakarta Health Office explained various means to prevent the spread of Covid-19 which needs to be disseminated to the community. Agus also explained the importance of understanding that the new life pattern does not mean going back to the pre-pandemic life pattern but considering a life with health protocol as a normal way of life. This aims to maintain community productivity while protecting them from Covid-19.
“In the new normal, we often see people take picture closely without a mask. It shouldn’t be like that; they should keep their mask on and maintain physical distance. Then for toddlers and the elderly, try not to travel if you don’t have to because they are among the vulnerable to Covid-19,” he added.
On this occasion, Sorja Koesuma, S.Si., M.Si as a researcher provided a remark that explains the program as an annual program started in the previous year. Initially, the program focused on preparing Surakarta community to be ready to face a disaster such as a flood and fire, however, due to the current condition, the theme for the current year is adjusted to discuss Covid-19. Humas UNS
Reporter: Kaffa Hidayati
Editor: Dwi Hastuti