"Elevator Hand Sanitizer Has Disappeared" Bitter Scene of COVID-19 Anxiety

Some Apartment Hand Sanitizers Disappear Entirely
Previously, Masks Prepared Inside Subway Stations Also Quickly Run Out
"Mature Civic Consciousness Needed," Citizens Express Frustration

Recently, hand sanitizers placed in an apartment elevator disappeared. Residents were baffled and could not hide their bitterness. The photo is a stock image and is not related to any specific expression in the article. Photo by Han Seung-gon hsg@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Recently, someone took an entire hand sanitizer bottle placed in an apartment elevator, leaving a bitter feeling. It is presumed to have occurred due to increased anxiety amid the spread of the novel coronavirus infection.

According to a post recently uploaded on an online community, the hand sanitizer prepared in an apartment elevator disappeared entirely. The writer expressed disbelief, saying the hand sanitizer was taken whole.

Posts about hand sanitizers disappearing have also been appearing mainly on some apartment community cafes. Apartment residents expressed regret. One resident said, "It's really absurd. It's someone who only thinks of themselves," and raised their voice, "I hope they find out who took it."

Another resident said, "I heard that the sanitizer placed in another apartment elevator disappeared," and pointed out, "It's not about the price of the sanitizer; this is a matter of conscience."

On the other hand, there were cases where the missing hand sanitizer returned to its place. One resident said, "I thought the sanitizer was gone, but it turned out the security guard had brought a new sanitizer."

Mask distribution box placed at the information desk in Line 2 subway station. The masks were sold out immediately after being stocked. Photo by Seunggon Han hsg@.asiae.co.kr

Cases of entire hand sanitizers disappearing have happened before. Last month, free masks and hand sanitizers placed in subway stations in Seoul disappeared.

Kim Jeong-il, head of the Disease Control Division of Seoul City, said at a regular briefing on the 3rd of last month, "There are cases where hand sanitizers are taken whole, and such incidents even occurred on the first floor of Seoul City Hall," appealing, "Please demonstrate civic consciousness."

Subsequently, the city implemented loss prevention measures by tying hand sanitizer containers with ropes as a last resort. Also, the method of distributing free masks in the subway was changed to receiving them from station staff.

Hand sanitizer placed at the entrance of a building in Jung-gu, Seoul. The building management office recommends hand sanitizing and wearing masks to people entering the building. Photo by Seunggon Han hsg@asiae.co.kr

Citizens are showing reactions that they cannot understand the disappearance of masks or sanitizers in their entirety. A 30-year-old office worker, Mr. A, said, "Some people keep their conscience, and some only think of themselves, which causes these incidents," and criticized, "People who only think of themselves cannot help but be criticized."

Another 40-year-old office worker, Mr. B, lamented, "Both the masks freely distributed in the subway and the sanitizers reflect a bitter aspect of our society."

Meanwhile, regarding the loss of hand sanitizers placed in apartment elevators, a security guard working at an apartment said, "We can check who took it through closed-circuit television (CCTV), but unless it is formally reported to the police as theft, it can only result in a verbal warning."

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