The Impact of COVID-19 to The Poor People Socioeconomic Condition in Indonesia

Picture 1. Poor People Trapped into Absolute Poverty During COVID. They are the most vulnerable group in the society.

Source: AFP MNCTrijaya

"We are the poor people are not allowed to get sick"

Covid-19 is severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that attacks the respiratory system with several symptoms: chest pain, fever, flu, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties (WHO, 2020). 

The prevention method includes regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, avoid close contact with anyone coughing and sneezing, keep one metre distance with anyone, and social distancing through 14 days self-quarantine[1]. This Covid outbreak is very dangerous because spread very fast and high coverage area which is 189 countries infected per 21 March (Worldometers, 2020). 

The total death in in the wold due to Covid-19 per March 21 is 11.402 with total confirmed 275.469, so the ratio of total death compared to confirmed case is 4,1% (John Hopkins Databases, 2020). However, the number of cases in Indonesia is 450 confirmed, 38 death, and only 20 recovered. The death ratio is almost 8,4% (Kemekes, 21 March 2020), the highest in Asia and even higher than average death ratio in the world. 

Due to this serious and fatality, we must put more concern to the most vulnerable people in Indonesia. Many sources mention that the most vulnerable groups are elderly, someone with previous health problems[2], and low immune people. They forget that the fourth group is also the most vulnerable: poor people.  

The high poverty and inequality rate in Indonesia also threaten the Coronavirus spread prevention. Gini ratio[3] is 0,38 and the percentage of poor people is 9,42% or 25,95 million people (BPS, March 2019). High poverty and inequality prevent low income people to access basic needs, including health facility, sanitation, and hygiene. 

Research shows that poor people have low awareness and difficulties in accessing proper hygiene and sanitation (Joshi et al, 2011). Most poor people also not doing social distancing suggested by the government, mostly due to knowledge, awareness, and necessity to go outside for work.  

Self-quarantine for 14 days is good for prevent the virus, but we must remember that low-income people can`t afford necessities without go to work. Quarantine worsen their economic condition as they can`t buy enough food due to job loss.  

Even if they don`t lost the job, their salary is cut in half because of their workplace has decreased income, especially if they work in retail, transportation or tourism sector. Most poor people don`t have saving as a precaution in this critical time. 

They become the hardest hit group of people. The government also lengthen the crisis time into 91 days. Can they afford food and shelter for 3 months without going to work? I have talked with some people that still go to work outside their home in a time like this, they said that they don`t have any other choice because they need money to buy food and fulfil the other necessities. 

They also can`t supply food for about 14 days because they don`t have enough money. It`s different with the condition in China, in which they get food supply from the government during quarantine. The high oppressed government also has strict rule to prevent the people from get outside. It is different with Indonesia condition which is the quarantine is not doing at the same time. Can our government provide food during 14 days for 267 million people in Indonesia?

Moreover, the early detection rate of coronavirus is taken by test and this test is rationing only 140 people each day and massive tests are still not done yet, it means their opportunity to be tested especially for the people is lower. As the government rationing the number of people tested into 140 in Unair[4] hospital and only provide up to 9 PM rather than 24 hours. Of course, it makes the access of the poor people to the health provision is getting difficult. 

Could you imagine how the homeless people and child street can survive in a time like this? When they don`t have shelter or enough food for 14 days, where they should go and how they feed themselves? When some people hoarding health safety and protection equipment like hand sanitizer and masks, scarcity makes the price is goes up more than 4 times. 

Hand sanitizer 60 ml usually costs 17.000 IDR but not it costs up to 78.000 IDR. The masks also rare and the usual price in each box is 45.000 IDR, now it costs up to 325.000 IDR[5].  Some places that sell masks also ratioing to sell only 2 masks for each person[6]. The poor people will be difficult to get health safety equipment to protect themselves from the virus transmission. 

In the early pandemic period, there are 17 provinces[7] with confirmed cases, including densely populated area, high poverty rate, or high inequality ratio such as DKI Jakarta, West Java, Banten, East Java and DI Yogyakarta. Currently the highest number of Corona patients is in DKI Jakarta, West Java, Banten, and East Java. 

There is also strong correlation between poverty and the number of infected people. Most poor people live in slump area that densely populated, so it increases the speed of contagion and the risk of community transmission is higher. Based on data, the slump area in Indonesia expanded into two times. The number of urban slump household in Jakarta is 11.02% and West Java is 11,81% which is above national average 8.3%.

 The number of urban slump household in Banten also high (7,16%), although lower than national average (BPS, 2016). In Java province, DI Yogyakarta (11,7%), Central Java (10,8%), and East Java (10,37%) become the province with highest poverty rate (BPS, March 2019). DI Yogyakarta and West Java also become province with first and third highest inequality (BPS, March 2019). Although need further research, poverty is indeed one of the factors that worsen the virus transmission and outbreaks. If we don`t give concern more to the poor people in this crisis time like this, they will be live the very vulnerable and harmful condition. 

Stay healthy, stay safe for all people in Indonesia. #UniteAgainstCOVID-19

 

References

 

BPS. March 2019. "DIY Inequality Rate". Accessed March 21, 2020 from https://yogyakarta.bps.go.id

BPS. March 2019. "Poverty and Inequality". Accessed March 21, 2020 from https:// bps.go.id

BPS. 2016. "Slump Area." Accessed March 21, 2020 from https://www.bps.go.id

John Hopkins. 2020. "Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases by Johns Hopkins CSSE". Accessed March 21, 2020 from https://gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com

Joshi, D. et al. 2011. Health, hygiene and appropriate sanitation: experiences and perceptions of the urban poor. Environment and Urbanization, 23(1), 91-111.

Kemenkes. 2020. Accessed March 21, 2020 from https://www.covid19.go.id/