[New Word Dictionary] Covidiot - Selfishness as a Disaster

COVID-19 Infection Spread Status from Incheon Academy Instructors (As of the 20th) Graphic by Jin-kyung Lee, Designer

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] 'Kovidiet' is a portmanteau of COVID and Idiot, referring to those who ignore guidelines such as social distancing implemented to prevent COVID-19. A representative example is Incheon academy instructor Mr. A (25), who became the main cause of a cluster infection after visiting clubs in Itaewon and then lying about his identity and movement paths.

The quarantine authorities stated that if Mr. A had truthfully disclosed his personal information and movement paths to the epidemiological investigator upon testing positive, the academy students could have been immediately quarantined to minimize further infections.

Mr. A is criticized for claiming to be unemployed and providing false movement paths during the epidemiological investigation, hindering initial response and triggering the spread of infection. Incheon City filed a complaint against Mr. A with Michuhol Police Station for violating the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act. The careless lie of "It's just me" has led to signs of COVID-19 spreading again, coinciding with the start of the third-year high school students' school term. This is a tragic scene caused by selfish lies.

Meanwhile, the number of people testing positive for COVID-19 due to Mr. A continues to increase exponentially. On the 4th, taxi driver Mr. B, who drove Mr. A, tested positive on the 16th, followed by his wife and grandson also testing positive. Incheon City is tracking 143 passengers who used Mr. B's taxi and conducting specimen tests. A third-year male high school student and his friend, who attended Mr. A's lectures, also tested positive, and confirmed cases are rapidly increasing centered around a coin karaoke room they used. The Central Disease Control Headquarters recommended diagnostic testing on the 6th for visitors to the building housing the coin karaoke room, citing possible infection spread via the building's elevator. Additionally, all 34 students taught by Mr. A and 30 teachers from the local study center are undergoing specimen tests and self-quarantine.

Example

A: The weather is nice and I feel good, so I want to go somewhere.
B: Hey, with all the fuss about the Itaewon clubs lately, where do you think you’re going?
A: I can just wear a mask. I really want to go to a club. There are hardly any clubs open these days.
B: Do you really have to dance in this situation? You’re a total Kovidiet. Someone said it’s like a dance heaven after Shincheonji.
A: Okay, okay. I’ll just play alone at home. I was thoughtless.

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