[The Editors' Verdict] Ahn Cheol-soo's Bizarre Mask Logic

The mask debate is in full swing. The key question is whether masks can be removed outdoors by May. The quarantine authorities plan to review and announce a plan to lift the outdoor mask mandate early next month. However, the Presidential Transition Committee has put the brakes on this, arguing that it is still premature.

On the 26th, Ahn Cheol-soo, the head of the transition committee, said, "Scientifically speaking, the risk of infection is relatively low when people are outdoors and at a certain distance from each other, but the problem is that it might give a false impression that COVID-19 has been completely eradicated." He added, "If people do not wear masks outdoors and then enter indoor spaces without masks, there is a risk of infection indoors," and emphasized, "It is not enough to simply lift the outdoor mask mandate; measures such as recommending or mandating mask-wearing when entering buildings must be implemented simultaneously."

What does this mean? Let's examine it step by step. First, he agreed that the risk of infection is low even if masks are removed outdoors. Since Mr. Ahn is a doctor and scientist, this is natural. The problem starts with his subsequent remarks. Restrictions on the number of people in gatherings and business hours have already been lifted for restaurants and bars. People can gather anytime, 24 hours a day, to eat, drink, and chat. Yet, wearing masks outdoors seems strange to anyone. Walking, commuting, or going to school outdoors is certainly less risky than facing each other and talking closely. But does removing masks outdoors give a false impression that COVID-19 is completely over? No matter how many times one thinks about it, the only response is, "Is that really the case?"

Second, he says that if people do not wear masks outdoors and then enter indoors, they can get infected indoors. What context is this? Then the problem is not outdoors but indoors. Of course, indoors is riskier than outdoors. It has always been so. How is this related to removing masks outdoors? Isn't this rather an argument to strengthen indoor quarantine measures?

Third, he says that measures to recommend or mandate mask-wearing when entering buildings must be implemented simultaneously. This is also about indoor mask-wearing. This has already been in place for a long time. The quarantine authorities have never suggested removing indoor masks all at once. They have repeatedly said that masks can be removed indoors only after the COVID-19 situation improves following the removal of outdoor masks. Most citizens understand that it will be difficult to remove masks indoors for the time being.

Mr. Ahn's remarks go around in circles. They are illogical and unconvincing. The only nuance that comes through is, "Whatever the reason, it would be better to wait a little longer before removing outdoor masks." He cannot explain why more time is needed. By politicizing quarantine measures, he oddly criticizes the public. He questions the public's awareness. Our citizens have shown the world's best civic consciousness over the past two years and three months. They have endured silently despite any government missteps.

Even now, masks can be removed outdoors as long as people keep a 2-meter distance from others. Yet, most people wear masks even when far apart. If the public has this level of quarantine awareness, shouldn't they be trusted? It is the government's responsibility to devise a plan to help people remove masks as soon as possible. The Moon Jae-in administration received quite low marks for its COVID-19 response. It seems the new government wants to be in the same position.

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