"Are Only People Wearing Masks Fools?" Heatwave 'No Mask' Conflict [A Reporter Goes]

Recent Hot Weather Continues, Discomfort Wearing Masks
Citizens Hang Masks on Chin or Do Not Wear Them at All
Some Complain, "Even Though It's Hot, We Endure and Wear Masks"
KCDC: "If Maintaining Over 2m Distance... Masks Are Not Necessary"

On March 11, citizens wearing masks are commuting to work through Sindorim Station in Guro-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] "Aren't only the people who wear masks just fools?"

As the rainy season recently began, bringing hot and humid weather, various conflicts over whether to wear masks have arisen.

People who diligently wear masks and follow the prevention guidelines for COVID-19 expressed frustration, saying, "Who wears masks because they are not hot? Please observe COVID manners." They criticized those who do not properly follow so-called 'COVID manners.'

COVID manners refer to following health authorities' COVID-19 prevention guidelines well, such as covering the mouth with a hand or arm when coughing, washing hands frequently, and avoiding close contact.

A man in his 40s, Mr. A, whom we met in Euljiro, Jung-gu, Seoul, said, "Isn't it hard for everyone to wear masks? Still, I always wear one," emphasizing, "Because COVID is not completely over yet." He added, "On the street, some people don't wear masks at all because it's hot, or wear them on their chin, which is very annoying."

This is a criticism of people not wearing masks due to the hot weather. However, wearing masks is essential during the COVID-19 spread. There have been published papers showing experimental results detecting the COVID-19 virus in the air.

According to Nature Medicine on April 6, a recent experiment by Benjamin Cowling and his research team at the University of Hong Kong confirmed that the seasonal coronavirus was detected in aerosols (tiny droplets or particles) from the breath and coughs of infected patients.

In particular, it was found that infected individuals release fine virus particles not only when coughing but also when exhaling. The researchers confirmed that relatively large particles are released into the air when infected people cough or sneeze.

Also, the global scientific journal Science reported on the 2nd (local time) that "new research shows that COVID-19 can spread just by breathing."

According to Science, a research team from the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Princeton University, University of California Los Angeles, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated in a letter to the international journal New England Journal of Medicine that particles smaller than one-millionth of a meter can linger in the air for up to three hours.

This is why, even if the temperature rises and breathing becomes uncomfortable, wearing a mask is essential to prevent COVID-19.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, complaints about not observing manners when coughing have also emerged. Another office worker in his 30s, Mr. B, said, "I have seen people take off their masks when coughing even though they are wearing them," and pointed out, "It seems they do this because they are worried their masks will get wet, but even so, they should cover their mouths with their hands."

Summarizing citizens' discomfort, the issues include △not wearing masks due to heat △not covering the mouth when coughing △smoking on the street causing cigarette smoke to enter others' masks △crowding in enclosed spaces.

Mr. C, a worker in his 20s, said, "I recently saw many people playing street basketball, but only one person was wearing a mask," adding, "There were more than ten people enjoying basketball at that time." He repeatedly pointed out, "Young people say they have no COVID problems, but they can infect others."

In fact, health authorities emphasized the possibility of virus transmission in such situations.

At a regular briefing on the 9th, Kwon Jun-wook, Deputy Director of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, explained, "Asymptomatic infected people have lower infectivity than general patients, but that does not mean they have no transmission capability."

Deputy Director Kwon warned, "If symptoms appear even slightly, the secondary attack rate rises from 3.5% in mild cases to 5.7% as symptoms worsen." He emphasized, "Even asymptomatic people can transmit the virus, so tracing transmission routes is important."

As criticism of those not wearing masks due to the heat continues, health authorities have issued mask usage guidelines. The main point is that if social distancing is certain, masks do not need to be worn.

On the 22nd, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency stated, "Wearing masks can put a physical burden on the body, such as increasing heart rate, respiratory rate, and perceived temperature, so if it is possible to keep a distance of more than 2 meters between people, it is better not to wear a mask."

The agency explained, "If social distancing is not possible and you have to wear a mask even outdoors while working, it is good to find a place where you can secure enough distance from others during breaks and take off your mask to rest."