"Please Wear a Mask" Citizens Frustrated with 'No Mask' in This Situation

Multiple 'No Mask' Reports Received on Safety Report
Running, Singing Practice, and Smoking While Walking Without Mask at Hangang
Experts Say "Proper Mask Wearing Is More Effective Than Vaccines"

On the morning of November 13 last year, employees of Seoul City and Seoul Metro at Gwanghwamun Station on Seoul Subway Line 5 held a banner guiding passengers to wear masks while using the subway. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-eun] "Please do not walk around smoking while taking off your mask," "Isn't it a bit inappropriate to still not wear a mask?"

As the government enforces social distancing measures such as banning gatherings of five or more people and restricting business hours after 9 p.m. to prevent the spread of COVID-19, voices criticizing violations of quarantine rules are growing due to the most basic rule, 'wearing masks,' still not being followed in some cases.

According to the 'Safe Report' portal operated by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety on the 30th of last month, multiple reports have been received regarding non-compliance with mask-wearing related to COVID-19.

Among the reports were cases such as △ more than 20 people at Hangang Park not wearing masks at all every week, △ participants in running groups wearing so-called 'mask under chin' (teokseukeu), and △ many door-to-door salespeople enjoying New Year's gatherings without masks.

There were also reports of people smoking without masks in non-smoking areas and improper mask-wearing in places like karaoke rooms.

Meanwhile, on the 26th of last month, in a park in downtown Cheongju, Chungbuk, people were seen playing Yutnori (a traditional Korean board game) while not properly wearing masks, continuously smoking, and drinking alcohol. On the 19th of the same month, Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church delivered a sermon for nearly an hour without wearing a mask, drawing criticism from citizens.

As public anger over no-mask behavior grows amid the COVID-19 spread, a petition titled "Punish Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon" was posted on the Blue House National Petition Board on the 21st of last month. The petitioner expressed outrage, saying, "He preached without wearing a mask," and "Given the current situation and that COVID-19 is not over yet, how can he not wear a mask?"

Posts pointing out people not wearing masks are being uploaded on online communities. Photo by Online Community

In this situation, Mr. A (25) said, "Even just walking around downtown Seoul, I often see people walking around smoking without wearing masks. It's the worst of the worst," adding, "Every time I see groups of people talking and sitting together without masks, I am startled and angry."

Mr. A continued, "Wearing a mask has become essential to the point where I don't even consider going out without one, but seeing people still neglect mask-wearing feels like they live in a different world," and "Everyone is equally frustrated in this situation, so I can only think that they are very selfish."

Additionally, online communities such as mom cafes and local cafes have been filled with posts criticizing those not wearing masks, such as "I met someone not wearing a mask in the elevator," "I couldn't believe my eyes seeing someone confidently walking around without a mask. Are there still no-mask people these days?" and "What kind of psychology do people have to walk around no-mask just for their own convenience?"

Meanwhile, violations of quarantine rules continue to occur beyond just no-mask cases. According to Safe Report statistics, over the past month, about 32,000 reports of COVID-19 related quarantine rule violations have been recorded.

Experts emphasize that the most important measure to prevent COVID-19 is "wearing masks." Professor Kim Woo-joo, an infectious disease specialist at Korea University Guro Hospital, pointed out, "In some ways, the most effective prevention method, even more than vaccines, is proper mask-wearing," adding, "When masks are worn, infectivity is significantly reduced, and even if cluster infections occur, the scale of infection varies depending on whether masks were worn or not."

Professor Kim continued, "As the social distancing period lengthens and fatigue sets in, people tend to become less vigilant and neglect mask-wearing. Even if vaccinations begin later, it is uncertain how long immunity will last, so mask-wearing should be maintained for a while," and emphasized, "Although it is difficult, we must not neglect mask-wearing in daily life and always pay attention to safety for ourselves and those around us."

Also, on the 27th of last month, Yoon Tae-ho, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters' quarantine team, said at a regular COVID-19 briefing, "We ask you to strictly follow quarantine rules by wearing masks," and added, "Even a moment's hesitation can allow the coronavirus to infect your family and those around you. Please strictly adhere to quarantine rules in all aspects of daily life," he urged.

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