Despite Parents' Objections, He Joined the COVID-19 Frontline

[Interview] Nurse Jo Mo's Nonstop Day in Daegu

Commuting to Health Center by Taxi... Dispersed to Regional Screening Clinics for 18 Daily Tests
Shincheonji Believers Are Main Targets for Movement-Based Testing... Collecting Specimens Door-to-Door
'Level D Standard' Full-Body Protection, Personal Smartphones with Infection Risk Strictly Prohibited

The photo is not directly related to the article.

On the 26th, medical staff at the screening clinic of Chilgok Kyungpook National University Hospital in Buk-gu, Daegu, were preparing to test a suspected case of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] "That's a death zone. Write your resignation immediately!" Leaving behind the anxious voices of my parents, I headed to Daegu. There was no time to waste when thinking of the Daegu citizens waiting for medical staff. It has been six days since I stood on the front lines of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). When facing the endless stream of people to be tested, there is no time to feel exhausted.

Jo (31), a nurse affiliated with Hospital A in Gyeonggi Province, repeatedly requested in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the 28th, "Please do not reveal my real name." She said it was because she was simply doing her duty. On the sixth day of her dispatch work, Jo's day begins at 8:40 a.m. by gathering in the lobby of her accommodation. After taking a taxi to the public health center, she disperses to screening clinics divided by region. Jo mainly handles epidemiological investigations. She also collects specimens from COVID-19 symptomatic individuals. She said, "Recently, the schedule for specimen collection targeting Shincheonji Church of Jesus members has been so packed that there is no time to catch my breath."

When starting work, she wears protective gear at 'Level D' standard. The recent test subjects are more likely to be patients than those who have visited before, so she is more cautious than ever. Level D protective gear includes a full-body protective suit, goggles, medical mask, gloves, and shoe covers. Personal items such as smartphones cannot be brought into the screening clinic. They are separately stored wrapped in lab and zipper bags. This is to prevent virus infection through personal belongings.

On the 27th, at the Yeungnam University Hospital screening clinic in Daemyeong-dong, Nam-gu, Daegu City, a medical staff member is collecting specimens for testing of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) from a citizen in a car. [Image source=Yonhap News]

◆ Up to 18 tests per day... Close contact unavoidable = A team of three?one doctor, one driver, and one nurse?conducts mobile specimen collection. The main mobile specimen targets are patients with mobility difficulties and Shincheonji Church of Jesus members. They visit homes to check if anyone is present. Tension begins to rise with the thought that the subject might be a confirmed COVID-19 patient. Specimen collection is done by using a long swab to scrape inside the nostrils and throat to collect secretions. Another method is to have the person cough and spit out sputum. From these two collected specimens, only the virus genes are extracted and amplified to confirm infection.

Jo said, "Close contact with patients is unavoidable during specimen collection," and added, "Even after the confirmation test, the mobile specimen collection team cannot verify whether the subject is a confirmed patient." She bitterly recalled, "My mother, who told me to apply to nursing because 'it's easy to get a job,' has been saying she regrets it every time during outbreaks like this, even though nearly ten years have passed." Even though they rush breathlessly, one team can test only about 18 people per day. Since securing the entire list of Shincheonji members, the urgency has increased. Except for some rest and waiting times, they spend more than five hours a day wearing Level D protective gear.

Due to concerns about virus contamination, Mr. Cho is not allowed to bring his smartphone into the screening clinic. The photo shows Mr. Cho taking a distant shot of his fellow medical staff waiting near the screening clinic.

◆ Wearing equipment for 5 hours... Exhausted after work = One of the difficulties for medical staff is the discomfort caused by protective equipment. Jo said, "The N95 mask is made to fit the facial contours, so wearing it for a long time causes painful chafing and severe marks on the face," adding, "Even wearing Level D protective gear for just 10 minutes causes sweating and discomfort, but living in it for 4 to 5 hours a day leaves me exhausted after work." Some medical staff attach hydrocolloid bandages (moisture-retentive bandages) they purchased themselves to the mask contact areas to prevent skin chafing. However, even these are gradually running out.

Jo also expressed disappointment about the 'aseptic concept' among on-site officials. She pointed out, "There are cases where local government officials working at screening clinics, such as those from public health centers, do not wear Level D protective gear," and "I have witnessed them putting their feet into medical waste boxes for protective gear without any protection and forcing them in." Such careless behavior can spread infectious diseases. She emphasized, "We will definitely win the war against COVID-19, but until then, we will not let our guard down and will do our best."