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| ▲ On the afternoon of the afternoon of the 13th, when the weather was as warm as spring, the streets of Myeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul are crowded with citizens who have gone out on the third day of the Lunar New Year holiday. In the morning of the morning, the government announced an adjustment plan to lower the social distancing stage in the metropolitan area to the second stage from the 15th, and to ease the business hours restrictions excluding some industries to 10 pm. | |
| Ⓒ Yonhap News |
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When the government announced on the 13th that it will ease social distancing measures to step 2 in the metropolitan area and 1.5 steps in the non-metropolitan area starting on the 15th, voices of concern are raised. The self-employed people’s breath was open, but the current Corona 19 situation is difficult.
The number of confirmed cases, which once fell to the 200 level, rose again to the 500 level this week (2/10), and there is no significant decline, and group infection continues this month in religious facilities and other places. The infectious goods production index, which decreased to 0.77 in January, rose to 1.07 in February, and the quarantine authorities are tense.
The situation in the future is also not optimistic. Although the ban on private gatherings with more than 5 people was banned, group infection is highly likely due to increased movement between regions during the Lunar New Year holidays. Also, a mutant virus that has infiltrated local communities due to a group infection by foreigners is also a bad thing.
Accordingly, although the government maintained the “prohibition of private gatherings with more than 5 people”, which had a great effect in suppressing the last pandemic, step 1.5 measures in the non-metropolitan area, which lifted the restrictions on business hours for all industries, or banned entertainment establishments. It is pointed out that the release and the like were premature.
This day <오마이뉴스>Medical experts interviewed by phone also said that the distance adjustment has a’unavoidable’ aspect in a situation where the pain of self-employed people intensifies, but there are many regrets in terms of quarantine.
[이재갑 교수] “Adjustment of social distancing behind public opinion… Is it okay to open an entertainment business?”
Lee Jae-gap, professor of infectious medicine at Hallym University’s Gangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, said, “We have lowered our social distancing because of public opinion. Even during the Lunar New Year holidays, there are more than 300 confirmed cases. We should have waited a little longer and decided after the Lunar New Year holidays.” .
Professor Lee said, “It is not the best situation where people are in pain and have no choice but to get off. The problem is that the people have been exhausted and endured for a long time. I can think of it,” he said.
He mentioned the fact that even though there were zero community infections during the Itaewon group infection, the number of confirmed cases increased as the public’s awareness was relieved, and it spread into a big outbreak.
In particular, Professor Lee was concerned about the reopening of the entertainment business, and said, “I would like to ask if the entertainment business is ready to reopen (prevention). If you open it without preparing enough preparations for safe business, The same problem is bound to occur.”
[천은미 교수] “Entertainment establishments need strong sanctions when violating quarantine rules”
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| ▲ On the 21st, the Gyeongnam branch of the Korea Entertainment and Food Industry Association held a rally in front of the Gyeongnam Provincial Office and the Democratic Party. | |
| Ⓒ Yoon Sung-hyo |
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Eun-mi Cheon, a professor of respiratory medicine at Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, said, “In terms of quarantine, it is a bit quick adjustment.”
Prof. Chun said, “If there is no time limit for non-metropolitan areas, the balloon effect may occur as people in the metropolitan area move around,” he said.
In particular, Professor Chun expressed concern about lifting the ban on gatherings at entertainment establishments. He pointed out, “It is very difficult to observe the quarantine rules in entertainment establishments. It is said that dancing and moving is prohibited, but unlike restaurants and cafes, there are many cases where masks are not observed because they eat alcohol.
He added, “Because there are many asymptomatic infections at present, the quarantine rules that you should wear a mask when drinking or talking should be followed,” he said. “Especially, those in their 30s and 50s who go to entertainment establishments have many infections. It should be considered.”
Prof. Chun emphasized the need for preemptive inspection of entertainment establishment workers, while insisting that there should be stronger administrative sanctions in violation of the quarantine regulations of entertainment establishments.
[정재훈 교수] “Concerns about sustainable quarantine… If the number of confirmed cases increases, it should be raised as soon as possible”
Jeong Jae-hoon, a professor in the Department of Preventive Medicine, Gachon University School of Medicine, said, “There is an unavoidable aspect of distance adjustment for’sustainable quarantine’,” he pointed out that normal quarantine should not be neglected just because the distance has been relaxed. The current situation is that it is time to release regulations for a while and prepare for the upcoming fashion.
So, Professor Jeong said, “Since the easing of the distancing step is already a determined measure, the more important thing is to raise it quickly when the number of confirmed cases increases.”
Professor Jeong emphasizes that the 4th pandemic is likely to come steadily, and the task of quarantine is to delay it after vaccination as much as possible. According to mathematical modeling, the peak of the 4th pandemic predicted by Professor Jeong is between March 4th and April 23rd.
On the other hand, regarding the lifting of the ban on gatherings of entertainment establishments, Professor Jeong said, “Business restrictions are bound to be linked to compensation, but if compensation is not properly paid as in the present, it will have to be opened.”