"Let's Take Off Masks Now" VS "Too Soon" Indoor 'No Mask', What Do You Think?

Debate Over Indoor No-Mask Period
Concerns Raised About 'Twin-demic' This Fall and Winter
Health Authorities: "COVID-19 Resurgence Ongoing... Will Review Carefully"

Discussions are underway to lift the indoor mask mandate. On July 10, a shopping mall in downtown Seoul was crowded with citizens seeking to escape the heat. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] As the COVID-19 resurgence enters a lull, there is speculation that indoor mask mandates may be lifted, leading to mixed reactions among citizens. Some feel suffocated by wearing masks and advocate for a 'no-mask' policy, while others insist that indoor mask-wearing should remain mandatory as a minimal preventive measure to prevent repeated COVID-19 resurgences.

The discussion about lifting indoor mask mandates was sparked by remarks from Jeong Ki-seok, Chair of the National Infectious Disease Crisis Response Advisory Committee. In an interview on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' on the 13th, he said, "Since the flu is prevalent this winter, there might be an opportunity for everyone to take off masks starting next spring." He added, "I recently visited Europe to attend a respiratory medicine conference focused on pneumonia, and even respiratory physicians there were not wearing masks. It made me think that we should also take them off. I am considering recommending moving in that direction (towards removing masks)."

Some have proposed implementing indoor no-mask policies as early as this fall, much sooner than the spring timeline suggested by Chair Jeong. However, concerns have been raised that easing such preventive measures prematurely is unwise due to the possibility of a 'twindemic'?the simultaneous spread of seasonal influenza and COVID-19. The two diseases share similar symptoms such as fever, cough, and sore throat, which could cause confusion. Professor Lee Jae-gap of Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital's Infectious Diseases Department pointed out in a recent MBC 'News Outside' interview, "People diagnosed with influenza should receive treatments like Tamiflu or other influenza antivirals, while those diagnosed with COVID-19 require COVID-19-specific treatments. Therefore, establishing protocols and clinical systems for conducting both tests simultaneously is very important."

Health authorities are also preparing countermeasures, recognizing the high likelihood of a twindemic. Im Sook-young, Situation General Manager of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, stated at a briefing that day, "We believe there is a high possibility that influenza will spread simultaneously with COVID-19, and we are working on response plans." She added, "Influenza cases were almost nonexistent and maintained at very low levels over the past two years, but since July this year, there has been an unusual increase in cases. We think an outbreak could occur somewhat earlier than in winter."

On July 28th, citizens were seen moving without masks in Myeongdong, Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

Opinions among citizens are divided. One netizen argued, "In other countries, people do not wear masks indoors. It would be better to make mask-wearing voluntary starting today," calling for a swift lifting of indoor mask mandates. Conversely, another netizen said, "There are hundreds of severe cases every day. We still need to be cautious."

Health authorities are taking a cautious stance on indoor no-mask policies. At the briefing, Im said regarding indoor masks and isolation mandates, "These preventive measures block infections and bring stability to the outbreak. Since we are currently in a resurgence phase, it is necessary to be cautious about easing measures before the resurgence stabilizes." She added, "We will review the situation comprehensively by considering domestic outbreak trends, overseas policy directions, various research results, and expert opinions."

Earlier, Baek Kyung-ran, Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, also expressed a similar position during a National Assembly Budget and Accounts Committee meeting on the 2nd, stating that the timing of mask mandate policies is under review. At a briefing on the 31st of last month, she said, "Isolation of confirmed cases and indoor mask-wearing are currently the most important measures to control the outbreak and have effects comparable to social distancing, so easing them requires great caution." She added, "We will consider domestic outbreak trends, case numbers, and expert opinions comprehensively when reviewing mandate adjustments."

Meanwhile, according to health authorities, as of midnight on the 14th, the number of new confirmed COVID-19 cases was 93,981, an increase of 8,452 from last week’s 85,529. The rise is attributed to increased movement and face-to-face contact during the Chuseok holiday. The infection reproduction number, which can indicate future outbreak trends, was 0.87 last week, marking three consecutive weeks below 1.

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