"When Will COVID-19 End?" Masks and Social Distancing as Daily Life... Any Stress Issues?

Extension of Social Distancing Level 2.5 in the Capital Area... Nationwide Level 2 Until the 20th
Citizens Report Depression... Some Show Anger and Withdrawal Behaviors
Experts Warn "Dissatisfaction and Anger May Lead to Violence"

At a bus stop in Jung-gu, Seoul, citizens wearing masks are hurrying to work. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Gayeon] As the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) resurges and the social distancing level 2.5 in the Seoul metropolitan area is extended, more citizens are reporting psychological symptoms such as depression, lethargy, and anxiety.

The prolonged COVID-19 situation forces people to check infectious disease information daily, and social distancing has practically restricted daily life, causing stress.

In this situation, some people criticize and resist quarantine guidelines, showing deviant behaviors such as not following personal quarantine rules. Experts emphasize that psychological quarantine is also important as citizens' stress during the ongoing COVID-19 situation can escalate into violence.

Since the resurgence of COVID-19 on the 14th of last month, the social distancing level in the Seoul metropolitan area was raised to level 2.5 as of the 30th of last month. The originally scheduled period for this distancing level, which was until the 6th, has been extended to the 13th, and the applicable facilities have been expanded. Nationwide social distancing level 2 will be maintained until the 20th.

As the government and local governments recommend 'giving up daily life' and urge social distancing, it has become difficult to maintain usual daily routines, and most citizens are complaining of stress. Many citizens commonly express feelings of anxiety, depression, and lethargy, leading to the emergence of the new term 'Corona Blue.' Corona Blue is a compound word combining 'COVID-19' and the English word 'blue,' meaning depression.

In front of a pharmacy in Seocho-gu, Seoul, citizens are lining up to purchase masks last March. [Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the 'COVID-19 Planning Research Group' at Seoul National University Graduate School of Public Health on the 7th, a survey titled 'COVID-19 and Social Health' was conducted from the 25th to the 28th of last month targeting 2,000 adults nationwide. The results showed that 85.5% of respondents identified COVID-19 as the biggest factor threatening social safety and health.

Respondents cited 'anxiety' (47.5%), 'anger' (25.3%), and 'fear' (15.2%) as the strongest emotions they felt related to COVID-19 news. The research group explained that compared to a survey conducted earlier last month, responses indicating anger and fear increased by 2.2 times and 2.81 times, respectively.

This anxiety sometimes leads to anger or rebellious behavior. The anger arising from the ongoing COVID-19 situation results in distrust of the government and non-compliance with quarantine rules.

Cases have occurred where people wear masks improperly, such as the so-called 'teokseukeu' (mask worn on the chin) or 'koseukeu' (mask covering only the mouth but not the nose), and even resort to violence when urged to comply with quarantine rules.

According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters on the 2nd, as of that day, 1,794 people had been investigated for violating the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act. Among them, 385 were investigated for violating the mandatory mask-wearing rule on public transportation, which has been enforced since May 26, and 9 of these were detained.

Citizens are wearing masks and moving at Sindorim Station of Seoul Subway. Photo by Yonhap News.

Consequently, calls for strengthening psychological quarantine are increasing. As the COVID-19 situation prolongs and citizens become psychologically exhausted, there are concerns that failure to manage this could create gaps in the quarantine system.

A survey also showed increased awareness of the need for psychological counseling and related support.

According to a recent paper titled 'The Impact of General Public's Fear, Psychology, and Social Experience Regarding Coronavirus Infection on Depression and Anxiety' by Lee Dong-hoon, a professor in the Department of Education at Sungkyunkwan University, a survey conducted from April 13 to 21 targeting 600 adults aged 18 and over found that 77.2% of respondents said "information on psychological and mental health is necessary." Additionally, 72.8% responded that "psychological counseling is necessary," and 58.2% said "psychiatric treatment is necessary."

Professor Lee suggested, "As the COVID-19 period lengthens, it is highly likely that depression and anxiety among the public have increased compared to the survey conducted in April. Not only technical quarantine measures that disinfect pathogens but also psychological quarantine is necessary."

Experts warn that stress situations can worsen into violence and other problematic behaviors, urging caution.

Professor Kwak Geum-ju of the Department of Psychology at Seoul National University explained, "At the beginning of the COVID-19 situation, citizens were more cautious. They followed quarantine guidelines and made efforts, but since the situation continues and is unpredictable, people's anxiety is increasing."

Professor Kwak added, "This anxiety can lead to criticism and conflict. Since dissatisfaction and anger can cause a contagion effect, it can escalate into excessive violence. It is necessary to restrain anger and criticism oneself."

Meanwhile, quarantine authorities repeatedly urged mask-wearing and practicing social distancing.

Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters at the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, said at a regular briefing at Osong, Chungbuk on the 2nd, "We earnestly request the public's participation in quarantine," emphasizing, "We must unite our hearts to overcome COVID-19, gather strength once more, and have confidence that this outbreak can be overcome."

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