90% of Citizens Say "COVID-19 End Is Impossible, Should Be Managed Like the Flu"

National Medical Center Announces '2021 COVID-19 Public Awareness Survey'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] It has been found that 9 out of 10 Koreans believe that the end of COVID-19 is impossible and that it must be managed continuously with vaccinations like the flu. Most also agreed on home treatment and medical responses focused on high-risk groups, which are key to transitioning to coexistence with COVID-19, known as 'With Corona.'

The National Medical Center announced the results of the "2021 COVID-19 Public Perception Survey" containing these findings on the 27th. This survey was conducted by the National Medical Center through the Korea Gallup Survey Institute, targeting 1,550 adult men and women nationwide over six days from August 18 to August 23.

According to the survey results, 89.6% of respondents answered, "The end of COVID-19 is impossible, and it must be managed continuously with vaccinations like the flu." As part of the transition to With Corona, 73.3% responded that COVID-19 can be "rested or treated like the flu," and 62.6% agreed that efforts should focus on prevention and treatment of high-risk groups. Notably, among those who had actually experienced a COVID-19 diagnosis, these response rates were even higher at 89.4% and 82.4%, respectively.

However, the proportion of those who believe that preemptive quarantine measures such as social distancing upgrades are necessary remained high at 87.6%. More than half did not agree with the argument that easing quarantine measures is necessary to reduce socioeconomic costs. The Medical Center interpreted this as clearly indicating that "a simple and radical transition is not appropriate, and sufficient prior measures and preparations based on scientific evidence are required."

Furthermore, standards for recovery of daily life and 'normalization' from COVID-19 were variously suggested, including removing masks (30.6%), free gatherings (13.7%), free travel (12.6%), and in-person classes and normal commuting (9.6%). However, 27.8% of respondents believed that unless daily life is restored in all areas from removing masks to cultural activities, it cannot be considered normalization.

Regarding policies that need change after COVID-19, the highest proportion, 94.4%, chose "expansion of personnel and resources and strengthening of systems in infectious disease response medical institutions." Opinions on the necessity of "realistic evaluation and compensation for losses due to quarantine policies for self-employed and others" also reached 86.1%. This reflected the view that the insufficient social medical safety net should be strengthened to alleviate the burden of COVID-19 social costs shifted onto individuals.

Meanwhile, as the COVID-19 crisis has prolonged for nearly two years, the majority of the public still expressed concern about COVID-19 infection. Regarding the degree of concern about COVID-19 infection, 34.7% of respondents said they were "very worried," and 56.2% said they were "somewhat worried." These responses showed little difference by age group.

As for damages caused by COVID-19 infection, 63.7% of respondents prioritized "health concerns such as progressing to severe illness." This was followed by "economic damage such as livelihood disruption (22.6%)" and "social stigma and isolation (13.6%)."

In particular, among the 29 respondents who had experienced COVID-19 infection, the proportion complaining of social stigma and isolation due to being known by neighbors and colleagues (24.6%) was higher than those reporting economic damage (10.6%). The Medical Center explained, "This appears to reflect the psychological shock and burden directly experienced during the diagnosis and treatment process, including social distancing, physical and mental isolation during treatment, and contact tracing and quarantine measures for family and acquaintances."

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