[Opinion] Overcoming COVID-19 Requires ‘Myeon-yeom-ryeok’ (Immunity)

Myeongkwon Kim, Adjunct Professor at Seoyeong University (Former Director of the Seogu Health Center, Gwangju Metropolitan City)

The COVID-19, which began around the end of October last year in the Wuhan region of China, has rapidly spread and infected people worldwide, including in our country, through person-to-person transmission, demonstrating its formidable presence.

Reports suggest that if this infection trend continues, 40-70% of humanity could be infected within a year, which is truly a cause for great concern.

However, our country is one that has successfully and wisely overcome infectious diseases such as the 2009 H1N1 flu and the 2015 MERS outbreak. In terms of healthcare, our country is one of the leading medical advanced nations in the world, with an unparalleled history.

COVID-19 is known to spread through saliva or secretions of infected individuals, making strict personal hygiene the most important measure. When going outside, wearing a mask is essential, and if a mask is not available, practicing proper cough etiquette using a handkerchief or sleeve is considered basic courtesy.

Especially after going out, thorough handwashing with soap, brushing teeth, and keeping the eyes, nose, and mouth clean are natural practices. Additionally, boosting immunity is also important.

During an infectious disease outbreak, it is best to avoid crowded places and prolonged close contact with many people in enclosed spaces.

Observing the rapid spread of COVID-19, it is notable that most fatalities involved individuals with chronic underlying conditions, emphasizing the importance of not neglecting immune system enhancement.

Ways to boost immunity include having three nutritious meals a day, getting sufficient rest, reducing stress, and engaging in regular exercise.

Outdoor exercise is good, but when circumstances do not permit, even light stretching and calisthenics indoors can be beneficial.

Exercises such as calisthenics with a dry towel or walking in place are recommended. Also, frequently drinking clean, lukewarm water helps reduce dryness in the throat.

At this time, drinking throat-soothing beverages such as ginger tea, quince tea, balloon flower root tea, or omija tea can also provide comfort and peace of mind.

Those who feel anxious or worried due to the spread of COVID-19 should try not to be overly concerned.

Excessive worry and anxiety can make the mind uneasy and uncomfortable, which can also increase the mental distress of neighbors. When psychological anxiety intensifies, one can seek help from mental health promotion centers or disaster psychological recovery support centers.

If you have come into contact with confirmed cases, high-risk groups, or individuals suspected of infection, it is better to consult and get tested for COVID-19 through a nearby public health center rather than going directly to a hospital.

Overcoming COVID-19 primarily depends on each individual boosting their immunity. Therefore, it is repeatedly emphasized to maintain strict personal hygiene, have three meals a day, engage in light exercise, and if still concerned, consider taking high-dose functional vitamin supplements that help enhance immunity.

Especially for the elderly and those with weak health, high-dose functional vitamin supplements containing high levels of benfotiamine and ursodeoxycholic acid are recommended. These not only aid energy production, quick recovery from physical fatigue, and prevention of physical decline but also improve bioavailability, thereby enhancing immunity.

It is also important not to forget to frequently drink clean, lukewarm water to ensure the body is sufficiently hydrated.

If cough etiquette and personal hygiene are properly observed and a healthy lifestyle is maintained, the spread of COVID-19 will soon shift to a declining trend. I want to emphasize that avoiding vague anxiety or excessive worry is also beneficial for mental health.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.