Jakarta – Stemming from LSPR Communication and Business Institute’s concern towards the ongoing pandemic, LSPR has organized various webinars to increase the public knowledge and awareness about COVID-19. Webinar ‘LSPRxDokter Awam: Break the Myth about COVID-19’ (27/11), was the result of collaboration between IKB LSPR and Dokter Awam. The speaker of this event is dr. M. Shafiq Advani, M.Res. as the founder of the Dokter Awam, and moderated by Endang Purnomo as the Social Media Manager for IKB LSPR who is also a Covid Survivor.

Mr. Endang Purnomo, the Social Media Manager for IKB LSPR as moderator

dr. M. Shafiq Advani, M.Res, the founder of the Dokter Awam as speaker

Dr. M. Shafiq Advani, M.Res. advised not to use antibody rapid test kits as a measure of whether someone is positive for COVID-19. Ideally, you should use a rapid antigen test kit, known as a rapid swab, or if you can afford it, a PCR test kit known as a swab test. The difference between the two tools is that the rapid swab test is more intended for screening purposes, while the PCR test is intended to diagnose a person.

dr. Shafiq explained about the differences between the test tools

From his explanation, it can be concluded that everyone has the same possibility of contracting COVID-19, even though the symptoms in older people are generally heavier than younger people. “We also cannot guarantee that we will never get COVID-19 again if we have been infected with this disease before, because there is still the possibility of reinfection, although it is rare. In addition, someone can die purely as a result of COVID-19, although the number is smaller than those who died from COVID-19 accompanied by other diseases (comorbid),” he explained.

Dr. Shafiq Advani, M.Res. explained that there is a possibility that pregnant women who are exposed to COVID-19 will infect their fetuses, although this is rarely found (only 6% of cases of transmission to the fetus). He also addressed animal transmission. “So far, there have only been cases of humans transmitting COVID-19 to their pets, and there have never been cases of pets transmitting to humans,” he explained. At the end of the webinar, he advised to carry out health protocols. Dokter Awam also provides a free digital book about COVID-19 which can be downloaded on Dokter Awam Instagram account, @dokterawam. (Irene)