Pandemic and Family Medicine plants

PANDEMIC AND FAMILY MEDICINE PLANTS

By: Ni Wayan Sukarini

wayan_sukarini@unud.ac.id

Entering the year of 2020 the life of humankind begins with the outbreak of a new virus called the corona virus or the medical term is COVID-19 (CORONAVIRUS DISEASE-19). It is named COVID-19 because it first appeared at the end of 2019 in Wuhan City, China. Corona virus spreads very fast to almost all of the countries in the world, including Indonesia. 34 provinces in Indonesia are all affected and one of them is the Province of Bali.

Bali as one of the world's tourist destinations suffered a very heavy blow because the lives of Balinese people are highly dependent on tourism. The island of Bali, which is a province, has virtually no natural resources (mines and forests) like other provinces in Indonesia. However, thankfully Bali is blessed with a fertile, beautiful nature, as well as the tradition, culture, and creative creativity of its people who are supported by attitudes and behavior that love peace. A harmonious blend of natural beauty, culture, traditions, attitudes and behavior that is friendly, open, and love peace makes Bali a tourist destination that is highly favored by both domestic and foreign tourists. Therefore most Balinese people work and support themselves from tourism. Tourism absorbs a lot of labor because it is related to the needs of tourists for services. Meeting the needs of tourists motivates the emergence of supporting businesses such as lodging, restaurants, souvenir shops, tourist attractions, event organizers, and so on.

Working in the field of tourism on average is able to improve the quality of life of the people of Bali so that this sector has always been the target of job seekers. Busy work provides services to tourists who want to enjoy their leasure time to get excellent comfort from tourism workers (tour guides, hotel employees, restaurant employees, chefs). Those who are directly involved in tourism become quite busy so that to fulfill their daily needs many of them do not prepare it themselves but rather buy. For example buying fast food, buying offerings that are ready to be offered (for Hindus). They have less time to gather with family because they have to work. Less attention and use of vacant land around their homes that can actually be planted with medicinal plants that are easy to grow, do not require complicated care and a long time to grow such as chili, tomatoes, eggplant, spinach, mustard greens, galangal, turmeric, ginger, lemongrass, and so on.

Increasing the spread of the corona virus is still happening in almost all provinces in Indonesia and no one is able to predict when it will end. This condition makes life activities in all fields change greatly. For example, a decrease in income due to a reduction in working hours, loss of income opportunities due to termination of employment, closure of a business due to decreased purchasing power and so on. This situation requires people to tighten their spending and think creatively to be able to meet the most basic needs of food. Reduction of working hours until termination of employment makes more time to gather with members of family. This opportunity can be used to plant vacant land with family medicinal plants which can also be done with potted plant techniques if there is not enough land; try again the skills possessed for example in the field of food, traditional medicines (herbs) produced from various herbs to increase the body's immunity; prepare simple ceremonial needs; barter needs that are owned by family, friends or friends. In addition to family medicinal plants, there are also freshwater fish farming in small ponds (buckets) for hobbies and consumption. These simple things are very possible to do at least to meet the consumption needs of the family and directly help reduce or reduce spending.

It is undeniable that this pandemic awakens all of us to explore and make the most of what is available in us and around us. Producing independently the basic needs through family medicinal plants has added value which means there is no negative impact because it is free from pesticides. Consuming foods that are free of pesticides will certainly increase the body's immunity. The condition of this pandemic also teaches us to share with each other, increase our sense of solidarity in concern and strengthen each other. We keep praying that this pandemic will end soon and we will be able to return to normal life as soon as possible.