Based on the data from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) on May 28, 2020, there were at least 687 new confirmed COVID-19 cases reported in Indonesia. The virus has spread to all 34 provinces in the country, infecting at least 24,538 individuals, with 6,240 reported recoveries and 1,496 reported deaths. In DKI Jakarta, as the epicenter of the pandemic, it has the highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases compared to other provinces, with a total of 6,929 confirmed cases, 1,719 recoveries, and 514 reported deaths (as of May 28, 2020).

The Indonesian government has taken serious measures to combat this pandemic and declared it a national emergency since February 29, 2020. As a result, public hospitals have been converted into COVID-19 referral and intensive care centers as initial and fundamental efforts to handle patients who have tested positive for COVID-19. There are at least 11 hospitals throughout DKI Jakarta designated as COVID-19 referral centers, with more than 3,000 medical workers spread across these hospitals directly involved in caring for COVID-19 patients on a daily basis in the red zones.

“Medical personnel in the red zones or those directly involved in the field need to protect themselves by using complete personal protective equipment (PPE). Before and after handling COVID-19 patients, medical personnel must undergo a sterilization and decontamination process to prevent the spread of the virus. Due to the limited availability of water heaters in the COVID-19 treatment rooms, they have to use cold water for showering more than three times a day at unpredictable times to maintain personal sterilization. We can imagine how uncomfortable this is, as showering during the sterilization and decontamination process is mandatory," said Vice Head of RSAL Mintoharjo Hospital Colonel Laut (K) drg. Dwi Afrosiansi, Sp. Perio. The Deputy Head of RSAL Mintoharjo also expressed gratitude to Ariston Thermo Indonesia for providing assistance in the form of water heaters to Rumkital Dr. Mintohardjo, which helps improve the comfort of medical personnel during the sterilization process.

“Even though we have adhered to the mandatory self-protection protocols against the COVID-19 virus and minimized the risk of transmission, some of us have not seen our families for more than 3 months to reduce the risk of becoming carriers. Of course, we miss our homes and families," said Retna Handayani, a nurse handling COVID-19 patients from RSAL Mintoharjo. "We shower at least 3 times a day, usually very early in the morning, at night, and even before dawn, depending on the shift, but 3 times is the minimum number. Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) itself is uncomfortable and makes it difficult for us to breathe. The maximum time we can wear PPE is 3 hours. After 3 hours, we have to decontaminate ourselves by showering," she added.

Ariston Thermo Indonesia, as a leading water heater brand in Indonesia, contributes to support the frontline warriors against COVID-19, the healthcare workers, by providing them comfort even when they are far from the comforts of their homes and families. Ariston is always committed to providing sustainable comfort to everyone, even in the most extreme conditions through their products. On May 26, 2020, Ariston Thermo Indonesia donated 150 units of customized water heater products according to the hospital's needs to 6 COVID-19 referral hospitals in Jakarta, namely RSAL Mintoharjo, RS Persahabatan, RS Fatmawati, RS Bhayangkari, RS Sulianti Saroso, and RS Gatot Subroto.

Colonel Laut (K) drg. Dwi Afrosiansi, Sp. Perio also explained that they were building a new facility for COVID-19 treatment in early May and needed it to be operational as soon as possible. However, due to the PSBB regulations that limited logistics between cities, they couldn't find any water heaters ready to be delivered and installed quickly according to their needs, while they were under pressure to open the new facility for COVID-19 treatment. "Water heaters are essential to complement the WHO-standard medical facilities at Rumkital Dr. Mintohardjo because healthcare workers directly involved with suspected and confirmed cases need to decontaminate themselves before leaving the COVID-19 treatment area."

Bathing has now become the most important aspect to consider in reducing the risk of exposure to COVID-19, as it cleanses our bodies and aids in decontamination. By using water heaters, it will provide more benefits to healthcare workers who sometimes have to shower in the middle of the night or even in the early morning.

Ns. Yetty, S. Kep, a nurse from the Infection Prevention and Control Nurse at the hospital (IPCN), stated, "Taking a warm shower is crucial during this pandemic. It has been proven to be more effective in decontamination and also provides medical benefits to the users. For example, it helps improve blood circulation, enhances respiratory function, and provides a therapeutic effect similar to a massage, which promotes relaxation," she said.

In addition to the benefits of bathing for the body, according to the WHO, a temperature of 60°C to 70°C is effective in killing most types of viruses, making hot water excellent for sterilizing equipment, including medical instruments.

Dr. Mochammad Syafak Hanung, Sp.A, M.P.H, the Director of RSUP Fatmawati, expressed his deepest gratitude to PT Ariston Thermo Indonesia for the donation of water heater products to RSUP Fatmawati. "We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Ariston for the donated water heaters. These water heaters will be installed not only in the facilities for healthcare workers but also in patient rooms and laboratory staff bathrooms. Taking a warm shower has benefits for individuals with weakened immune systems, such as patients who are being treated in the hospital. Bathing with warm water oxygenates the body and allows us to breathe deeper and slower, especially when steam is present. If the body feels relaxed, it also has an impact on the immune system, making it very beneficial and important for the patients here," he said. The donated products will be used not only by the medical staff but will also greatly benefit the patients in obtaining the advantages that warm bathing can provide, as stated by Dr. Mochammad.

"Ariston Thermo Indonesia is committed to bringing comfort to families in Indonesia. Looking at the current situation, we can clearly see the correlation between our products and the COVID-19 pandemic. Most healthcare workers are far away from their comfort zones (their families at home) and are operating in extreme conditions (COVID-19 treatment centers). Knowing that bathing is necessary and mandatory, bathing during this pandemic has proven to be more crucial than ever in decontaminating our bodies. Therefore, we want to provide them with comfort through our products, so they can relax and feel more comfortable while bathing with hot water," said Erwin Lim, the Marketing Director of PT Ariston Thermo Indonesia.

"Looking at the current situation, it seems like the journey of the pandemic is still long, and that's why PT Ariston Thermo Indonesia wants to contribute to ensuring that the frontline fighters against this virus have the most comfortable everyday bathing experience through what our brand specializes in, which is water heaters," he added.

Ariston always strives to provide comfort to everyone through its quality-tested products in extreme conditions. Just like what Ariston has done in The Ariston Comfort Challenge mission in Greenland, providing comfort to researchers conducting their studies on climate change in extreme weather conditions. Ariston hopes that healthcare workers today will have a more comfortable bathing experience and reap other health benefits by bathing with hot water.

About Ariston Ariston,
a leading brand of the Ariston Thermo Group, is a global brand and a pioneer in water heaters and other heating products, providing efficient and high-quality water heating solutions to people around the world for their comfort. Ariston's expertise and deep understanding of consumer needs have consistently been embraced and trusted by millions of families worldwide for over 50 years, and the brand has sold products in more than 150 countries. Ariston is also recognized by experts and professionals for its efforts to redesign its products to make installation and maintenance steps easier and faster. Ariston defines "home" as a place where people feel safe and free to be themselves, where they are happy, fulfilled, and loved; that's where all the good times are spent. Full of life, full of precious and comfortable moments. Ariston takes care of people's comfort every day, empowering them to fully enjoy their precious moments at home, every day.