COVID-19 and Fine Dust... The Era of Masks, People Who Cannot Wear Masks

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] Cha Seong-ho (41), a chronic asthma patient, is afraid of masks. Due to asthma symptoms, he has difficulty breathing and frequently coughs during seasonal changes. Wearing a mask worsens these symptoms. Cha said, "I used to commute by bus and subway, but wearing a mask sometimes causes hyperventilation symptoms," adding, "Since the mask mandate, I have been afraid of causing inconvenience to others, so I use taxis or my own car for commuting and avoid going out."

Masks have long become a 'survival essential.' With the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the recent rise in fine dust concentration in the air, masks are the 'minimum' necessary for virus prevention and respiratory protection, but news about masks remains heated daily. Some refuse to wear masks, causing disturbances and even assaults. While wearing a mask is cumbersome and annoying for some, for others it is an essential item they want to wear but cannot.

For infants and those suffering from respiratory diseases or panic disorders, wearing a mask itself is painful. Kang Eun-hyeong (28), a housewife raising a six-month-old daughter, said, "Newborns who are not good at breathing feel suffocated and struggle just by wearing a mask," adding, "Sometimes it is burdensome even to go outside for flu vaccinations or a simple walk." Respiratory patients may experience worsened health from wearing masks. In fact, a domestic study involving chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients who wore masks and underwent walking tests showed that some patients had increased dyspnea scale scores and experienced dizziness and headaches.

The situation is similar for those with mental illnesses such as panic disorder and autism. Stress from wearing masks can worsen their conditions. Choi (33), who suffers from panic disorder symptoms, said, "Wearing a mask and going to enclosed places makes me feel like I can't breathe," adding, "Since mask-wearing became mandatory and fines were imposed, I honestly feel more withdrawn."

Health authorities recommend wearing droplet-blocking or surgical masks for vulnerable groups who have difficulty breathing. However, there are no clear mask-wearing guidelines for those who find it difficult to wear masks, such as people with mental illnesses or infants. Experts say policies are also needed to allow those who cannot wear masks to maintain social distancing while engaging in daily life.

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