As the number of COVID-19 infection rates decreases, social distancing has been gradually lifted, and the endemic transition is being progressed. The photo shows citizens still wearing masks walking around the streets.
After a long period of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Korean government has stepped toward the “Endemic” transition. Since the end of March 2022, there has been a decrease in positive cases, and the fatality rate has become relatively lower than in the past. Hence, the Korean government has been planning to abolish social distancing and prepare for the transition.
The term “endemic” means a periodic epidemic of infectious diseases, which does not end but occurs periodically or has hardened into endemic diseases. Some foreign experts studying the COVID-19 have predicted that Korea could become the world’s first COVID-19 endemic country. They also stated that the Korean government’s new quarantine strategy would contribute to the endemic transition. As the infection rate has been lowered as vaccination reached considerable group immunity, the government announced that it ultimately began to lift social distancing, which had been in effect for two years. Accordingly, business hour restrictions on multi-use facilities and the limit on the number of private gatherings have been lifted. Ordinary life is expected to return as the government further adjusted the infectious disease level from level 1 to level 2 on April 25.
The various changes by the endemic transition are recently considered controversial among people. For example, the mask-wearing system is expected to maintain, though the social distancing has been deregulated. The government explained that it is due to the potential risk of another increase in cases since the world has been through several variants of COVID. To figure out Mason Korea students’ opinions, The Voice of GMUK conducted interviews with two students, Boyeon Kim (GMUK, Business, ‘24) and Yeokyeong Yoo (GMUK, Business, ‘24).
Students’ overall perspective toward endemic transition was seen as positive throughout the interviews. “I think [She thinks] the two-year pandemic has made people suffer. So many people have been affected by distance restrictions, and students have not had a proper education or enjoyed university life,” said Boyeon Kim (GMUK, Business, ‘24). Another student, Yeo Kyeong Yoo (GMUK, Business, ‘24), said, “I [She] always had wanted to go back to my [her] old life before the pandemic, so I’m [she’s] in favor of the endemic transition.” Moreover, students expressed their expectations about lifting business hour restrictions or limiting the number of social gatherings. Boyeon Kim mentioned that she is finally enjoying her life on campus by participating in various activities with peers again.
Nevertheless, there are still other concerns since the risk of getting COVID-19 may increase if the endemic transition is enforced. “Whereas I [She] am also worried about a new mutant virus disrupting everything again,” Boyeon Kim said. Yeokyeong Yoo also delivered, “If the COVID-19 is considered endemic, the seriousness of the disease will be overlooked. Moreover, it could lead that people with COVID-19 would not receive proper treatment and getting excused absences from school and work. Thus, Mason Korea should make a renewed policy for responding to the endemic.” Aside from these concerns, the most controversial topic is the no-mask policy. While some people welcome the procedure, most people think that wearing masks is a social contract and it is wise to go back to our old daily lives step by step with no rush.
COVID-19 in South Korea has passed its peak and is on the decline. Hence, the government decided to consider the disease an endemic. There are different public stances as expectations for going back to everyday life and concerns regarding a re-diffusion of COVID-19. The government has been gradually progressing toward the endemic transition by easing social distancing since April 18. For a month of the change, it has allowed students nationwide, including Mason Korea patriots, to be finally given a chance to enjoy normal school life. Now, the hope for the restoration of everyday lives is seen.
Written by Yeowon Choi | Staff Writer
Revised by Yu Bin Kwon | Managing Editor
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