Social distancing, work from home, generous safety nets may work in the rich world, but in emerging economies with densely packed populations like Indonesia's, they are an option for a small fragment of the country. Kevin O'Rourke, author of intelligence brief Reformasi Weekly, says that while the country can leverage off its geography and close off islands to stop the spread, "the outlook is grim" as thousands of sick risk overwhelming the country's meager health services. Mr O'Rourke said that after a slow start the government of President Joko Widodo is taking the outbreak seriously but the coronavirus promises to be a long-term public health threat here.

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