[오병상의 코멘터리] Jung Eun-kyung’s warning… listen to politicians

Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Chung Eun-kyung is announcing the domestic outbreak of Corona 19 at the briefing room of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do. 2020.11.23/News 1

One.

On the 22nd, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Chung Eun-kyung cut off the statement of Democratic Party Congressman Chung Cheong-rae, saying, “Is the president a target for a vaccine test?”

Eun-kyung Jung’s usual style sounds resolute.
From a scientist’s point of view, it’s uncomfortable to jump into the controversy that the politicians have on the day. Moreover, how burdensome it would be to criticize the ruling party as a high-ranking official.

Nevertheless, the reason Jung Eun-kyung is determined is because it is so important.

2.

Vaccination, starting this weekend (27th), is a full-fledged fight against Corona.

Only vaccination can defeat the corona.
However, vaccination is not that simple. Distrust of vaccines is considerable, and it is difficult to dispel distrust.

3.

According to Eun-kyung Jung, it is fortunate that 93.8% of the primary vaccination targets responded with ‘yes’.
This seems to be because they are related to nursing hospitals and facilities, and medical staff who feel a lot of crisis.

However, in other investigations, the rejection is considerable.
As a result of the survey on the 19th and 20th by the Korea Institute for Social Opinion, only 45.8% said that it would be right. ‘I will watch’ is 45.7%.

4.

The Gallup investigation (between the 16th and 18th) is also serious.

Only 43% of people say that they will be vaccinated by all means. If you include 29% of people who will be vaccinated, it can be said to be’positive’ 72%.
14% of’probably will not get vaccinated’. 5% said’I will never get vaccinated’. That’s 19% negative.

25% are’very worried’ about questions about vaccine side effects. ‘Somewhat worried’ 47%. Combined, the’worry’ is 72%.

5.

As a result of the two surveys, there is considerable skepticism and distrust about vaccines in Korea.
It is roughly the ratio of’positive’ 4,’reserved’ 4, and’negative’ 2.

The ultimate goal of the vaccine is to secure population immunity. It is not an individual problem, but only if the entire Republic of Korea has immunity to return to daily life.
At least 80% of the vaccines must be given to secure population immunity.
Therefore, it is possible only to persuade all the’reserved’ citizens.

6.
Particularly noteworthy in the Gallup survey is that denial of vaccination and distrust are related to political orientation.

83% of those who are positive about the presidential job evaluation are positive about the vaccine, but only 63% of those who are negative are positive about the vaccine. There is a 20% difference depending on the political orientation.
They also refuse vaccines because they distrust the government and the regime.
Therefore, the fight against vaccines is called the fight against distrust.

7.

In such a situation, it is fatal for leading politicians to call vaccinations’test subjects’.

Those with a reservation on the vaccine are anxious. When someone talks negatively, it sticks to your heart.

On the other hand, turning negative thoughts into positives is difficult. Just as it always takes a lot of time to restore trust…

In the developed countries that started vaccination early, these difficulties are actually being revealed.

8.

In Korea, it’s never too difficult.

Right-wing politics against the current government, mistrust and conspiracy theories about vaccines are already entangled.
Some extreme right politics and conservative Christian groups have caused mass infections, showing resistance to corona and vaccines.

A group like QAnon in the U.S. far-right argues for an absurd conspiracy theory that’Bill Gates puts a chip in the corona vaccine to enslave the vaccinated person’. There is also a Korean version of K-QAnon that believes in such a claim.

9.

They are predicting that they will hold a large-scale demonstration in Gwanghwamun on March 1.

Politics should play a role in convincing the reserved 40%, including these.
Politicians who call vaccines’experimental’ and targets’Maruta’ are the forces that hinder vaccination and the fight against coronavirus.

Eunkyung Jung is the best expert. The politician’s “warm” behavior must have broken the sway.
You should listen to Eunkyung Jung’s warning.

2021.02.22.