Spitting, Running Errands... Medical Staff at Quarantine Sites Face 'Double Hardship' Due to Confirmed Patients' Abuse

Increased Workload at Quarantine Sites, Double Burden on Medical Staff Including Patient Abuse
Wearing Protective Gear While Deboning Chicken or Running Delivery Errands
Quarantine Disruptions Such as Spitting on and Hugging Public Health Center Staff
One-Third of COVID-19 Quarantine Personnel Experience 'Burnout'

A medical staff member at a screening clinic cooling off the heat with a fan. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] As the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) resurges, increasing the workload on the front lines of quarantine efforts, medical staff are reportedly facing double hardships as some patients make unreasonable demands or intentionally obstruct quarantine activities.

Choi Wonyoung, a nurse at Seoul National University Hospital, appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jongbae's Focus' on the 24th and expressed the difficulties faced by medical staff at quarantine sites, saying, "It's infuriating when people make absurd demands instead of saying thank you to those who are working hard."

Nurse Choi said, "Some people send deliveries or order jajangmyeon frequently," adding, "When asked to go downstairs to pick up food, we have to go reluctantly, almost crying."

She continued, "There was even medical staff who, wearing protective suits, had to pick bones out of samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) for patients," and lamented, "Whether we spend time persuading them not to do it or just do it to end the conflict, it's the same. Most of the time, we get exhausted from the struggle and end up complying. During that time, we can't do other work, so our duties get paralyzed."

In fact, cases of so-called 'gapjil'?where patients who tested positive for COVID-19 and are receiving isolation treatment at hospitals order medical staff to run errands for deliveries or complain about side dishes?have been continuously reported.

Conservative-leaning YouTube channel 'Shinui Hansu' host Shin Hye-sik tested positive for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). / Photo by YouTube channel 'Shinui Hansu' video capture

On the 18th, a YouTuber reportedly had a confrontation with a nurse while broadcasting from an isolation ward.

Shin Hyesik, who runs the YouTube channel 'Shinui Hansu,' said in the broadcast, "I was already angry before the broadcast and had a big fight with a nurse," adding, "I don't think I'll do anything they ask from now on."

Shin also expressed dissatisfaction with the hospital food, saying, "I have to eat food that doesn't suit my taste and have to be cautious," and asked, "They say outside food is not allowed, but can't they allow fruits that have been quarantined to be brought in?"

She added, "Are we supposed to eat only the bland and tasteless food they provide here?" and said, "They say no deliveries, no this and that, but if I want to eat fruit, shouldn't I be able to buy it with my own money?"

There was even a patient who hugged a public health center worker collecting COVID-19 samples and spat at them. On the 15th, after attending a rally in Gwanghwamun, a couple identified as Mr. and Mrs. A visited a public health center for sample collection but refused the test by hugging the staff. They spat on the floor, saying, "It's unfair that only I get infected," and caused a disturbance shouting slogans like "Moon Jae-in dictatorship."

The couple, who tested positive, were later transferred to the Ansan Living Treatment Center. Two public health center workers present at the scene were immediately tested for COVID-19 and placed under self-quarantine. It was reported that both tested negative.

On the 21st, a medical worker collapsed from exhaustion in front of a fire station in Jeonju. / Photo by Jeonbuk Jeonju Facebook capture

Meanwhile, due to increased workload and heatwaves, medical staff are frequently collapsing from exhaustion. On the 22nd, a photo circulated on social networking services (SNS) showing a medical worker in blue protective gear leaning against the back door of an ambulance and suddenly collapsing, evoking sympathy from citizens in Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do.

On the 12th, a survey titled '2nd Gyeonggi-do COVID-19 Treatment Workforce and Awareness Survey,' conducted by Professor Yoo Myungsun of Seoul National University Graduate School of Public Health and the Gyeonggi-do Public Health Medical Support Group, revealed that one in three COVID-19 quarantine workers reported being in a state of 'burnout.'

Meanwhile, President Moon Jae-in announced that the government will respond strictly to acts that obstruct quarantine activities or refuse cooperation.

At a meeting with senior secretaries and aides at the Blue House on the afternoon of the 24th, President Moon said, "In some parts of our society, acts that challenge the national quarantine system and blatantly obstruct or refuse cooperation with quarantine efforts are becoming hotbeds for the spread of COVID-19," strongly criticizing, "Malicious and organized obstruction of quarantine and the spread of fake news are antisocial crimes that harm the community."

He added, "This is a much more serious emergency situation than the early Shincheonji incident," emphasizing, "We will not tolerate illegal acts that threaten the lives and safety of the people."

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