[The Editors' Verdict] Is Scientific Quarantine Truly Scientific?

There is ongoing debate about the Yoon Suk-yeol administration's COVID-19 response direction called "scientific COVID crisis management." It carries a subtle nuance different from the previously emphasized "scientific quarantine." Before announcing the COVID-19 resurgence prevention measures on the 13th, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters stated, "Rather than scientific quarantine, we will explain our future quarantine and medical response using the term scientific COVID crisis management."

Jung Ki-seok, Chair of the National Infectious Disease Crisis Response Advisory Committee, explained, "Science covers a very broad range. Not only natural sciences but also social sciences are sciences," adding, "Please understand it as scientific COVID crisis management in terms of managing the overall COVID crisis going forward." On the 17th, Kwon Seong-dong, Acting Party Leader and Floor Leader, emphasized at a high-level party-government meeting, "Since we promised to implement a scientific quarantine different from the Moon Jae-in administration, we must prepare reasonable quarantine measures that minimize restrictions on daily life."

Reflecting on Chair Jung’s remarks, it can be interpreted that science is not simply applied at the quarantine level but is based on managing the COVID-19 crisis comprehensively. The focus is on national crisis management beyond quarantine. The inclusion of social scientists, economic scientists, and mathematicians among the private advisory members of the National Infectious Disease Crisis Response Advisory Committee can be seen in this context. This is quite understandable.

However, some criticize that the Yoon Suk-yeol administration has abandoned the scientific quarantine it emphasized. This is due to the disappearance of the "evidence" that should be the basis of scientific quarantine. Looking at the COVID-19 resurgence measures, the most noticeable action is expanding the fourth vaccine dose target to those aged 50 and above. This was introduced despite the low effectiveness of the fourth dose vaccine amid the spread of the Omicron subvariant BA.5 as the dominant strain domestically and internationally. The fourth dose vaccination rate exceeded 40% for those aged 70 and above but was only 22% for those in their 60s.

The biggest reason cited is distrust in vaccines. The infection prevention effect of the fourth dose was only 24.6% during the first month after vaccination and dropped to 8.9% thereafter. Simply put, it means the vaccine becomes a "water vaccine." The quarantine authorities may have their reasons. They argue that since the fourth dose maintains over 40% effectiveness in preventing severe illness and death, vaccination is necessary for immunocompromised and elderly groups. It is also understandable as a last resort to reduce mortality in the absence of vaccines targeting variant viruses.

One issue to highlight here is vaccine side effects. Since vaccines began being administered domestically on February 26 last year, numerous side effects have occurred over one year and five months, but the quarantine authorities have been reluctant to acknowledge them easily. There have been countless cases of healthy individuals suddenly dying overnight. As of the 2nd, the government has received about 470,000 reports of vaccine side effects, including 1,695 deaths.

There has been no proper research on why and how people experienced adverse effects after receiving three vaccine doses. It is unclear whether the reduced severity and mortality rates are due to vaccines or characteristics of the variant viruses. It has not been verified whether it is safe to receive vaccines this frequently. The government’s measures lack plans on what the government will do to ensure vaccines can be administered safely.

People around often say, "It seems less risky to get infected than to get vaccinated." Distrust in vaccines runs deep. In such a situation, isn’t it somewhat inappropriate to use the word "science"? Science is not just about scientists gathering to discuss measures. Proper scientific quarantine means scientifically identifying causes and devising solutions.

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