[Reporter’s Notebook] The Dangerous Decision of ‘It’s Better to Get Caught Now’

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] "I deliberately came into contact with confirmed cases, thinking I might as well get infected now."

"I spent two years diligently following quarantine measures and managed to avoid infection, but in the end, I only ended up filling in for confirmed cases and struggling. All I think about is that I should have gotten infected earlier."

When the government announced the full lifting of social distancing and the post-Omicron response plan on the 15th, online spaces heated up with a sense of "regret for not getting infected earlier." This is because, with COVID-19 downgraded to a level 2 infectious disease, quarantine obligations, free testing and treatment, and living support payments will disappear by late next month. Underlying this sentiment is the perception that being diagnosed late results in a disadvantage.

However, more important than sweet support payments or leave is one's own health. Even if COVID-19 is experienced mildly, the number of patients complaining of aftereffects following quarantine release is increasing. Domestic research shows that 19.1% of COVID-19 patients experienced one or more aftereffects. This demonstrates that it is better not to get infected at all. Experts are also warning about long-term aftereffects. It is difficult for anyone to predict what kind of long-term sequelae may appear.

The young generation’s mindset of "I'll just get it once and be done" can pose a significant risk factor for the elderly. This is because the more active young generation increases the probability of transmitting the virus to the elderly. Although the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the first week of April was about half compared to the third week of March, the proportion of confirmed cases among those aged 60 and over actually increased. The probability of severe illness or death upon infection is overwhelmingly higher in the elderly.

The government also bears responsibility for the relaxed quarantine awareness. Throughout March, before the Omicron variant had fully peaked, the government eased social distancing measures, contributing to the increase in confirmed cases. Although quarantine awareness has further loosened following the announcement of the post-Omicron response plan and the full lifting of social distancing, the government is vaguely urging people to "faithfully follow voluntary daily quarantine." The government needs to consider the transition from state-led mandatory quarantine to socially agreed voluntary quarantine.

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