[Report] "I Feel Most Sorry for My Family" Outdoor Workers Experience the Fear of Wuhan Pneumonia with Their Whole Bodies

Outdoor Workers Who Want to Wear Masks but Can't
Flyer Distributors, Delivery Workers, Newspaper Carriers, Taxi Drivers, etc.
Feeling the Fear of Wuhan Pneumonia Deeply
Also Feeling Sorry About Possibly Infecting Their Families

On the 28th, amid the spread of the novel coronavirus (Wuhan pneumonia), outdoor workers met in the Myeongdong area of Jung-gu, Seoul. They expressed concern about the risk of pneumonia infection but said they had no choice but to continue coming out to the streets due to their livelihoods. Photo by Seunggon Han hsg@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy reporters Seunggon Han and intern Sungyeol Kim] "Pneumonia? It's scary. But what choice do we have? To make a living, we have to go outside."

On the 28th, taxi driver A (54), whom Asia Economy met in Myeongdong, Jung-gu, Seoul, spoke about the recently spreading novel coronavirus (Wuhan pneumonia) like this.

He said that he has been driving tourists from Incheon Airport to Myeongdong for four years and confessed, "When I go home, I always worry whether pneumonia might be transmitted to my family."

As the number of confirmed Wuhan pneumonia patients in Korea increased to four, the government raised the infectious disease crisis alert from 'caution' to 'warning' level. Most citizens wear masks during their commute and sanitize their hands indoors to avoid the pneumonia infection risk.

However, workers who work outdoors rather than indoors were actually feeling the fear of pneumonia throughout their bodies. Some were even exposed to situations where they could not wear masks at all. But since their livelihood depends on it, they cannot afford to take a break from work.

B (70), who is working part-time distributing flyers near Myeongdong. He complained that he cannot wear a mask because he has to talk to people. Photo by Seunggon Han hsg@asiae.co.kr

Woman B (70), who said she has been working part-time distributing flyers near Myeongdong for five years, said she cannot wear a mask because "If I wear a mask, my voice doesn't reach people well."

She added, "The company neither handed out masks nor gave any special notice." She continued, "It's scary, but I have to work, so I came out to the street like this."

Man C (69), who runs a street stall near the entrance of Myeongdong, said in response to the question "Aren't you afraid of pneumonia infection?" that "I keep following the newspapers and broadcasts," but emphasized, "I'm not worried yet." He added, "If I have to deal with customers, I can't wear a mask. There's no choice."

Meanwhile, there were people who wanted to wear masks but could not. Driver D (57), who said he has been working as a delivery driver for 40 years, explained, "The pneumonia disease is scary, but I'm not worried. I should wear a mask, but when I work, my glasses fog up and it's uncomfortable, so I don't wear it." He hurriedly carried his cargo, saying, "I'm still healthy, so I don't worry much."

E (40), who works at a cosmetics store frequented by many Chinese customers, had a similar situation. He said, "Since Chinese customers are the main clients, I can't give up," and added, "Personally, I think I don't need to wear a mask. I'm not too worried."

Newspaper delivery worker F (56) delivering newspapers around Myeongdong. When asked about concerns over Wuhan pneumonia infection, he hurriedly left the place citing newspaper delivery as the reason. Photo by Seunggon Han hsg@asiae.co.kr

F (56), a newspaper delivery worker with 20 years of experience delivering newspapers around Myeongdong, said, "If I get pneumonia, I think it's just fate. It can't be helped." He added, "Still, I wore arm sleeves instead of a mask. I think not everyone gets this disease."

On that day, pharmacies around Myeongdong were crowded with people looking for masks. Some customers even lined up outside the pharmacies to buy masks. Trucks carrying masks were repeatedly coming and going to the pharmacies.

A pharmacy located in Myeongdong, Jung-gu, Seoul. It is crowded with customers trying to buy masks. Photo by Han Seung-gon hsg@asiae.co.kr

Meanwhile, as of 9 a.m. on the 28th, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) announced that 15 symptomatic individuals under investigation for Wuhan pneumonia were quarantined and being tested. No additional confirmed cases have been reported so far.

According to the KCDC, there are four confirmed patients in Korea. The confirmed patients are: Chinese woman A (35), who entered the country on the 19th; Korean man B (55), who entered on the 22nd; Korean man C (54), who entered on the 20th; and Korean man D (55), who entered on the 20th.

There are 112 symptomatic individuals under investigation excluding the confirmed patients. Among them, 97 have been finally tested negative and released from quarantine. 15 are currently being tested.

Currently, there are 4,572 Wuhan pneumonia patients worldwide. China accounts for 4,515 cases, with 106 deaths. No deaths have been reported outside China.

By country, the cases are: Thailand 8, Hong Kong 8, Macau 6, Taiwan 5, Singapore 4, Japan 4, Malaysia 4, Vietnam 2, Nepal 1, Cambodia 1, United States 5, Canada 1, France 3, Australia 5.