Coronavirus: how Indonesia’s West Java used volunteer army of 800 experts to curb outbreak
- Data modelling showed there could be 70,000 deaths in West Java if no action was taken, persuading provincial authorities to implement lockdown
- The results of the group known as Kawal Covid-19 represent a clear argument for tougher action in Indonesia, which has Southeast Asia’s highest death toll
The Kawal Covid-19 (Guard against Covid-19) group organised a data model presented to the provincial governor that showed there could be 70,000 deaths by July in West Java if no restrictions were imposed compared with only 20,000 if it took tough action. Accordingly, West Java province locked down.
“They were keen to provide help and we accepted it,” said Ridwansyah Yusuf Achmad, an adviser to the West Java governor who organised the online meetings with Kawal volunteers and praised the group as patriotic for donating its expertise.
He, and other West Java officials, said the modelling from Kawal had swung the argument.
In the face of patchy data and conflicting advice from Indonesia’s central government over measures to fight coronavirus, Kawal’s 800 volunteers have emerged as an increasingly important source of information and guidance.