[현장에서] K quarantine blames the public when the number of confirmed cases increases

“Emerging quarantine consciousness emerging everywhere”

These are the words that Prime Minister Jeong Sye-gyun said during the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting on the morning of the 17th. “I am more concerned than the quarantine situation walking on a thin ice sheet,” he said. On this day, 621 new cases of coronavirus infection (Corona 19) were recorded. It has surpassed 600 people in 39 days since the 10th of last month.

Prime Minister Chung cited two examples of the quarantine consciousness that had become weakened. Club Ann No Mask and drinking at the accommodation after 10pm. If you look at Prime Minister Jung’s remarks, it reads as if the number of Corona 19 patients increased to 600 due to this. We must not release our alertness to Corona 19. However, there have been no outbreaks of outbreaks in clubs or accommodations recently.

On the 15th, the government lowered the level of distance. In this regard, President Moon said, “The quarantine situation is within the control of our quarantine system and medical system.”

As the number of patients increased after this judgment, it seems that the cause is quietly pushed toward the public. There are cases in which group infections have not yet been reported. I have a feeling of deception. In the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak, the government sometimes made a statement that seemed to transfer the responsibility for quarantine to religions or specific assembly-led organizations.

Contrary to President Moon’s remarks, the scope of control these days is a concern. The proportion of corona19 patients who are investigating the path of infection reaches 24.5%. This means that during the epidemiological investigation, one in four people do not even know where they were infected. Four months ago, this rate was 13.8%. Failure to follow can lead to’nth order’ infection. Some voices are concerned about the 4th pandemic even before the 3rd pandemic. Prior to blaming the public, the priority is to strengthen quarantine capabilities, such as increasing epidemiological investigators.

It is difficult to judge the meaning of the increase or decrease of confirmed cases in one day. The overall flow is important. On the 8th, Minister of Public Administration and Security Jeon Jeon-cheol said, “I’m glad to have reduced to 200 people today” at a critical script meeting, but four days later, 504 people came out. The same is true of the occurrence of 600 people on the 17th. To determine whether it is a temporary increase or re-spread, you have to look at the flow.

The increase in the number of confirmed cases is closely related to the number of tests. During the four-day Lunar New Year holidays, an average of 43,212 tests were performed per day. Yesterday, there were 8,4964 cases. The remarks of the highest levels of policy-making need to be more cautious.

Moreover, one of the main reasons for the success of K quarantine is the participation of the people, who had to endure the infringement of basic rights and give up their lives. On the day of last Lunar New Year, the amount of movement across the country was 35.99 million, a 29% decrease from the day of last year. The people also delayed meeting with their nostalgic family.

Chairman of the Korean Medical Association, Choi, said, “The reason that the cumulative number of confirmed cases and deaths is relatively small compared to other countries is because the citizens have complied with the world’s best standards of quarantine while violating essential contents of freedom and basic rights.” And competence was by no means the first factor.”

Reporter Minwook Kim [email protected]