"Earn Money While Playing and Want to Catch COVID-19" 2030 Office Workers' 'Absurd' Infection Reasons

"Quarantine Period is Vacation... Get Paid Leave and Enjoy"
'Used COVID-19 Positive Masks' Traded in Secondhand Market
Omicron Variant Infection Pain 'Less Severe' Misinformation
Experts: "For Some, Infection is Fatal... Must Follow Prevention Rules"

On the 18th, when the COVID-19 variant outbreak entered its peak phase, citizens were waiting for rapid antigen test results at the temporary screening site in Seoul Plaza. On that day, 407,017 new confirmed cases were reported, bringing the total to 8,657,609. There were also 301 deaths in a single day. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kang Woo-seok] "I want to catch COVID-19, is there any way?", "Selling masks used by confirmed cases."

Recently, among office workers in their 20s and 30s, there have been absurd voices expressing a desire to be confirmed positive for COVID-19. This seems to stem from the fact that social criticism of confirmed cases is less severe than before, and a lowered sense of caution due to eased social distancing measures.

In particular, with the Omicron variant, the pain of being infected is known to be no different from a common cold, and since the isolation period can be enjoyed like a vacation and paid leave can be used, some say it is practically like earning money while resting.

Experts pointed out that some young people are making wrong choices based on misinformation, which could endanger lives. They repeatedly urged everyone to strictly follow quarantine rules.

Although only a few, office workers who expressed a desire to be confirmed positive for COVID-19 cited reasons such as △ mild symptoms of infection △ isolation period being practically a vacation △ paid leave.

All of these reasons are ethically condemnable, and above all, the notion that COVID-19 infection is not very painful is misinformation that could lead to serious aftereffects and pose a life-threatening risk.

Office workers are crossing the pedestrian crosswalk. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]

According to current quarantine guidelines, confirmed COVID-19 patients must enter self-quarantine for one week. Additionally, some confirmed cases receive financial support. However, those who have received paid leave, those quarantined after overseas entry, violators of quarantine and prevention rules, and workers at institutions receiving financial support from the government or local authorities are not eligible for the support funds.

As a result, voices among young office workers expressing a desire to catch COVID-19 have emerged. Mr. Kim, a worker in his 20s, said he recently told acquaintances that he wanted to be confirmed positive for COVID-19, stating, "I have too much work, and in the current atmosphere, it seems no one criticizes you even if you catch COVID," adding, "I’m testing myself at home with a self-diagnosis kit, but it’s frustrating that I haven’t tested positive yet." He added, "Honestly, I really want to rest, and if I get infected, isn’t it paid leave?"

Another office worker in his 30s, Mr. Park, said, "They say Omicron isn’t that painful, so among office workers, there’s talk about catching it once, going into isolation, enjoying a vacation, and getting paid for it." He continued, "Actually, some people around me got confirmed, had a good time, and got paid. I’m thinking about trying it once myself."

'COVID-19 Positive Mask' is being traded on secondhand transaction platforms. Photo by Online Community Capture

Given this situation, masks used by confirmed COVID-19 patients have even appeared as items for sale on secondhand trading sites. These are a kind of 'confirmed case masks' targeting office workers who want to catch COVID-19.

A seller who identified themselves as a confirmed COVID-19 patient posted a photo of a mask, saying, "This is the mask I wore at home after being confirmed yesterday," and added, "If you wear this mask and take a deep breath, you can get infected with COVID, not work at home, and receive support funds."

The price of the mask is 50,000 KRW. Considering that the market price for a single mask is around 1,000 to 3,000 KRW, this is an extreme case of profiteering, and it can be seen as a premium being added to a mask used by a confirmed case. Even looking at it simply, this is an irrational situation, but some office workers complain that they might be able to buy such masks.

Mr. Park, an office worker in his late 20s, said, "In the end, where there is demand, there is supply," adding, "Isn’t this a reflection of changing social circumstances?" He continued, "I don’t know if anyone would actually buy masks used by confirmed cases, but I don’t think it’s something to criticize."

Experts pointed out that some young people are making improper judgments based on misinformation. They emphasized that this could cause irreversible and fatal harm to others and stressed the importance of strictly following quarantine rules.

Professor Lim Myung-ho of Dankook University’s Department of Psychological Therapy said, "It’s largely due to misinformation. The wrong information like '(COVID) is now bearable, it just passes like a common cold' seems to have clouded young people’s judgment," adding, "(COVID) can cause serious aftereffects and delayed complications. A situation has been created where a minority with cognitive bias believing misinformation as truth causes harm to the majority."

Professor Kim Woo-joo of Korea University Guro Hospital’s Infectious Diseases Department commented on 'COVID antibodies,' saying, "Not everyone who gets COVID develops antibodies," and "Even if antibodies develop, immunity decreases over time, and new variants can cause reinfection without resistance." He expressed concern, saying, "If young people spread COVID to elderly family members, people with underlying conditions, infants, or pregnant women at home, it greatly increases the risk of severe illness and death for those individuals."

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