[Correspondent Column] COVID-19 Could Also Block BTS's Path

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The US New York stock market plummeted overnight. The spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) to Korea, Italy, and Iran is cited as the cause. Investor sentiment in the stock market has been extremely depressed, recording the largest drop in two years.

Stock investment is said to be a psychological game. This is natural as a global economic downturn is expected. The spread of infections in Daegu and within Korea, triggered by the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, was broadcast live by media worldwide, casting a red light on trust in Korea.

However, it does not seem that fear of COVID-19 and Korea has increased in American society. Korean franchise bakeries near Times Square were still full of customers. The comeback event of BTS was crowded with fans who had forgotten their worries about COVID-19. Although security checks were thoroughly conducted at the event, there was no attempt to check the possibility of COVID-19 infection despite the large gathering.

This phenomenon reflects the nature of American society, which is based on trust. US health and education authorities hold a negative stance on masks. At a nearby health center visited after news of COVID-19 spread in Korea, no one was wearing masks. Instead, there were only naggings that masks were unnecessary. The basis for this is a social agreement that patients do not go out on their own.

For this reason, there have been reports that some Asian people wearing masks on public transportation in the US have been harassed. While we consider masks as prevention, the American perspective is different. Masks signify that one is a patient. Since it is negative for patients to have contact with others, people feel uncomfortable when someone nearby is wearing a mask. The principle here is that if one needs to wear a mask, they should stay home and not go out.

It is already difficult to obtain masks here, just like in Korea or China. Masks are hard to find even on Amazon, the world's largest e-commerce company, and at Walmart, the offline retail giant. Masks have long disappeared from pharmacies. It is an open secret that the masks were bought by Asian residents.

If COVID-19 spreads rapidly in the US, the situation could change. However, American society is gradually preparing for the COVID-19 attack. Following travel bans and flight suspensions to China, reports have emerged that the White House will request emergency funds from Congress for COVID-19 response. Although there are only two cases of local infection in the US, health authorities have entered a preparedness system, stating that COVID-19 will eventually land and spread.

This also reflects the long-established foundation of public health. In a recently watched American drama set in the 1940s, there was a scene where someone covered their mouth with clothing when coughing. While we are only now promoting the principle of covering coughs with clothing rather than hands to prevent infection spread, the US had already established such a principle 70 years ago.

What is regrettable is that most Koreans visiting the US still wear masks. It is easy to see crew members and passengers arriving at New York JFK Airport leaving the airport wearing masks. This is clearly a violation of the US 'local rules.'

The spread of COVID-19 infections in Korea was caused by the reckless behavior of infected individuals. Consider what results might come from traveling or business trips to the US thinking it is okay because you are wearing a mask.

The US mainland has not yet imposed entry bans on Koreans related to COVID-19 infection spread, but the situation can change at any time. If the US government imposes entry bans on our citizens, it could cause serious repercussions for our economy. The hard-built towers by director Bong Joon-ho, BTS, Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Motor, and other companies could collapse.

Preventing the spread of infection within Korea is important, but preventing overseas spread is also a crucial factor in securing national trust. While the role of the state is necessary, it is a time when individual awareness of each citizen is required.