Hwang Kyo-ik: "Excessive Fear of COVID-19... Masks Should Be Removed Unless in Special Cases"

Hwang Kyo-ik, taste columnist. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Yeon-ju] Amid growing concerns over the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), food columnist Hwang Kyo-ik claimed that the fear is excessive.

On the 4th, Hwang wrote on his Facebook, "The fear of COVID-19 is excessive. We need to calmly think about it."

He then shared data comparing the fatality rate of the general flu in the United States from 2018 to 2019 with the COVID-19 fatality rate in South Korea as of March 2, 2020.

According to the data disclosed by Hwang, the U.S. flu is more fatal than the COVID-19 currently spreading domestically.

On the same day, Hwang posted another message, stating, "Politicians and journalists appearing on television should take off their masks unless there is a special reason," and added, "The public is greatly influenced by what they see."

He posted a message introducing "a mask worn by a medical school professor," explaining, "It is a personal mask for going out, not one used inside hospitals."

He continued, "It is said to have been worn for about a month. The nose part is folded and worn soaked with nasal oil," and added, "Masks do not completely protect me from viruses. A mask that prevents my droplets from reaching others' bodies is sufficient."

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