"Stashing Masks Brings Peace of Mind"... What Do You Think About Mask Obsession?

Extra Masks Available but Feeling Anxious Without Buying
Expert: "A Kind of Anxiety... Excessive Obsession Increases Psychological Distress"

On the 3rd of last month, a citizen in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, is leaving after purchasing a mask at a pharmacy. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon, Intern Reporter Kang Joo-hee] "I’m becoming obsessed with masks," "I have extras, but I keep buying more."

Although there was a mask shortage in February and March due to the impact of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the supply has stabilized to some extent thanks to the government's implementation of the 'mask 5-day rotation system.' Nevertheless, some citizens are still hoarding masks. Experts pointed out that hoarding caused by excessive anxiety can lead to greater psychological burdens.

About 50 days after the implementation of the mask 5-day rotation system, which limits mask purchases to two per person, there is now enough supply that people do not have to line up at pharmacies to buy public masks. It is analyzed that the government's mask 5-day rotation system and high-intensity quarantine measures such as social distancing have been effective.

However, some citizens continue to stockpile masks despite the improved supply. One citizen said that COVID-19 could spread again, while another expressed anxiety, saying that the epidemic might resurge.

In a recent post on an online community, a netizen confessed, "After the mask shortage crisis, my obsession with masks has intensified," adding, "I have about 60 to 70 masks at home, but whenever I get a chance, I check online sites where I can buy masks."

They continued, "Vaccines have not been developed yet, and there is a possibility of mutant viruses emerging, right? Because of my anxious feelings, I keep buying masks. They say infectious diseases might spread again around winter, so I think I need to stock up more now to get through that time."

Netizens who saw the post empathized, responding with comments such as, "Having extras makes me feel at ease. I also stocked up 50 masks and gave 30 to my husband," "Even though I tell myself to stop buying because I’m anxious, I keep reaching for more," and "No one knows what the future holds, so I buy as much as I can while I can."

On March 9, when the five-day rotation system for public masks was implemented, citizens lined up at a pharmacy in Gangnam-gu, Seoul to purchase masks. Photo by Yonhap News

B, a housewife in her 30s who identified herself as a parent of multiple children, also said, "Because I have kids, the amount of public masks is not enough for regular use," adding, "Public masks are not cheap, so I always keep an eye on online sites. Although I think I should stop worrying now, I don’t know how the situation will change, so I try to buy as much as possible while I can."

On the other hand, some citizens expressed concerns about this mask-buying obsession.

One netizen said, "The government is taking care of the supply, so I don’t understand why people are so obsessed with buying masks," adding, "I thought the 5-day rotation system could be lifted now that supply has improved, but seeing people still buying masks all the time makes me worried that another shortage might occur once regulations are lifted."

Experts said that while it is good to stock an appropriate amount of masks for emergencies, hoarding caused by excessive anxiety can lead to greater psychological burdens.

Professor Kwak Geum-ju of Seoul National University’s Department of Psychology explained, "Citizens anxious about COVID-19 see buying masks as the only way to protect themselves," adding, "A few months ago, people suffered from anxiety due to the mask shortage, and after experiencing that once, they try to stock masks even if it costs more money. It stems from a kind of anxiety."

She continued, "Although confirmed cases are decreasing, cases are still surging abroad, and it is not yet a time to feel safe in our country, so people have no choice but to prepare for an uncertain future."

Professor Kwak advised, "It is good to stock an appropriate amount of masks just in case, but if you get overly stressed about it, psychological anxiety can increase. It is also necessary to consider the position of others who are in the same situation, not just yourself. Some compromise with yourself is needed."

Meanwhile, the government decided to increase the purchase limit of public masks from two to three per person starting next week (the 27th). Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said at a COVID-19 response meeting held at the government Seoul office on the 24th, "Mask supply has stabilized significantly since the public mask 5-day rotation system was established," and announced, "We will expand the purchase limit of public masks to three per person."

He added, "Although we still need to be cautious, we now have the capacity to look out for neighboring countries in difficulty. First, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Korean War this year, we will supply a total of one million masks to overseas veterans who protected our country."

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