We know, the world around us is in great turmoil. Indonesia once again is facing deadly virus contagion that just soared 300% within six short days. Concerning as it is, we immediately responds by staying inside our homes, curtailing almost all activities for the sake of everyone.
The delta mutation is something that medical community hasn't yet to comprehend, but we do know it only takes split second to spread between each human contacts.
At this rate, Indonesian vaccination program can be easily out-pedalled. A total of 31.5 million Indonesians have been vaccinated, or averaged about 818,065 doses administered each day. Approximately, it will take a further 67 days to administer enough doses for another 10% of the population. Comparing to 300% increase of infection rate, this won’t be an easy feat.
You might say that the current PPKM is even more strict than the previous lockdown. Well, you are not alone; many have noticed. Growing chorus of Indonesian commentators has called for social distancing measures are not worth the damage. Some claims “lives saved by lockdowns are not worth what it caused to economy.”
But we have had this argument before. We think a callous indifference to life is morally objectionable. Indeed, the distancing measures taken will come at a cost of activity and jobs, yet we believe these will far outweighed by the lives saved, and the avoided economic damage due to an unmitigated spread. In a world with COVID-19, there are no good choices.
As stock brokers, of course, our call to investment communities has helped us to stay engaged with investors in various ways. Our online conference is more frequent than ever, and we also reach out to individual investor who might be overwhelmed as their resources stretched thin and their business are almost at full stop. We think, helping people to protect their wealth is our responsible action. We want to keep our vision in-line that way.
From industry stand point, we also see various businesses that fight alongside with us have lend their strength to support the masses. Our coveraged company such as Aneka Gas Indonesia (AGII.IJ), for instance, also work tirelessly night and day to get oxygen tanks on time to hospitals. Not forgetting the team from RS Hermina (HEAL.IJ), whom stock we covered, also keeps on adding more bed capacities to cover as many victims as possible.
Although it is a difficult time, we think Indonesia can survive this hardship like we always did in the past. We believe this challenge will allow us to learn persistence and obedience, teaching us to be care more of one another.
Talking about persistence, we feel that we owe a lot to Mr John Boemihardja, our cyclist hero who beautifully put it on how to keep on going when you are facing big headwinds: “persistence is built by consistently performing small steps of disciplines, and patients. Keep going… Ignore the doubts and noises around you… Surely no matter how slow, you will get to the finish line.”
There will be finish line on all outside of this epidemic. We urge everyone to be safe and keep spreading positivity to one another. In the future, there will be moments where we can shake hands with one another again. See you until then, and stay safe!
Warm regards,
Boris, the Stock Broker 🐾
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