Social Distancing Is Difficult and Masks Are Uncomfortable... Concerns Over COVID-19 Spread

Health Authorities Recommend No Mask Outdoors if 2m Distance Maintained
"Many Asymptomatic Cases"... Public Confusion
Experts Urge Compliance with Personal Prevention Rules

In March, citizens wearing masks are commuting to work through Sindorim Station in Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] As health authorities have stated that masks are not required outdoors if a 2-meter distance can be maintained, opinions continue to emerge that social distancing is practically difficult due to high population density. As a result, people have no choice but to wear masks, but some say that even this is challenging due to the recent hot weather. Ultimately, concerns are growing that the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) may spread again as both social distancing and mask-wearing become difficult.

Experts recommend at least wearing masks, stating that maintaining social distancing in the city is practically difficult.

Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, said at a regular briefing held on the 22nd at the Osong Disease Control Headquarters in Chungbuk, "Wearing masks is important for preventing COVID-19, but wearing masks outdoors in hot weather can increase heart rate, respiratory rate, and perceived temperature, which can burden the body," adding, "If a distance of 2 meters or more can be maintained, it is recommended not to wear a mask."

She continued, "If social distancing is not possible and you have to wear a mask while working outdoors, you should choose a place where sufficient distance from others can be secured during breaks to take off your mask and rest."

Opinions among citizens are divided regarding this measure by health authorities. Office worker A (28) said, "Since there are many people, social distancing is a bit difficult. Also, wearing a mask is a bit hard because of the hot weather," expressing anxiety by saying, "They say this year will have record-breaking heat, so I’m worried that trying to prevent COVID-19 might instead lead to heatstroke."

Photo by Yonhap News

Another office worker B (27) criticized the health authorities' response. B said, "I don’t know about the provinces, but in Seoul, how many people are out on the streets?" and criticized, "Even when masks are mandatory, people don’t comply, so saying 'you don’t have to wear a mask' only adds to the confusion."

In fact, opinions among citizens are divided regarding mask-wearing, and in the Seoul and Gyeonggi regions, where nearly half of the country's population is concentrated, maintaining a 2-meter distance seems practically impossible.

As of 2018, Seoul’s population was 9,705,000, with a population density of 16,034 people per square kilometer. This is 5.8 times that of Daegu (2,773 people/km²). Gyeonggi Province has a population of 13,031,000, with 1,279 people per square kilometer. Due to this, there are concerns that social distancing is practically difficult in the Seoul and Gyeonggi areas because of the high population density compared to other regions.

Some argue that a definite quarantine measure against COVID-19 is needed. When social distancing is difficult due to high population density, the risk of infection from asymptomatic carriers among COVID-19 patients increases. South Korea has not yet conducted antibody testing, making it difficult to grasp the scale of asymptomatic infections.

According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters on the 22nd, among 654 new COVID-19 cases in the past two weeks, 10.6% (69 cases) had unknown infection routes, up 2.5 percentage points from 8.1% in the previous two weeks. This means that so-called 'hidden patients' with unidentified infection routes may have come into contact with asymptomatic carriers.

Photo by Cheongwadae National Petition Board

As social distancing is difficult and mask-wearing is challenging due to the hot weather, a petition demanding mandatory mask-wearing was posted on the Blue House petition board. On the 4th of last month, a post titled "I petition to legally mandate mask-wearing until COVID-19 is completely eradicated" was uploaded.

The petitioner said, "One reason South Korea had fewer COVID-19 damages was the role of masks," and added, "COVID-19 is not yet over, and with asymptomatic and mild patients and cases with unknown infection routes still appearing, many people have stopped wearing masks because the weather is hot and confirmed cases have decreased."

They continued, "People not wearing masks are confident, and it has become a strange situation where those wearing masks avoid them," demanding, "Please enact a law to punish mask non-wearing as a minor offense until COVID-19 is completely eradicated." The petition closed on the 3rd with 2,427 supporters.

Experts urged compliance with quarantine rules. Professor Kim Woo-joo of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Korea University Guro Hospital said, "It is true that maintaining a 2-meter distance is difficult on public transportation like buses or subways," adding, "Also, it is realistically difficult to maintain a 2-meter distance and keep putting masks on and off in the city. It is mainly correct to wear masks."

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