"Please Include Vegetarian Options" What Do You Think About Self-Quarantine 'Vegetarians'?

Vegetarian Quarantined Individuals Complain About Diet Inconvenience
"Nothing to Eat Except White Rice and Gim"
"Vegetarianism Is Not Just a Simple Preference"
"It Is a Belief and Conscience Against Animal Exploitation"

COVID-19 self-quarantine supplies in the Incheon area. The photo is not related to any specific expressions in the article. Photo by Kara

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] "This is really important from the perspective of vegetarians."

Recently, among those who have entered self-quarantine due to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), there have been ongoing demands from 'vegetarians' (菜食主義·vegetarianism) to include vegetarian options in the supplies, sparking controversy around this issue.

While there are criticisms that the state cannot manage individuals' dietary preferences in a customized way during urgent situations such as entering self-quarantine due to COVID-19 infection concerns, vegetarians argue that this is not merely a matter of taste or preference but an absolutely important issue.

Animal rights group 'Kara' pointed out on the 29th that after investigating supplies provided during self-quarantine in several local governments including Seoul, Incheon, and Goyang, these supplies fail to convey the spirit of restraint and environmental protection essential to overcoming COVID-19, are nutritionally biased towards meat consumption, and show no consideration for vegetarians.

On the 16th, public officials at Gangneung City Hall in Gangwon are preparing emergency food supply kits to be provided to individuals under self-quarantine due to COVID-19. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]

According to Kara, most of the food ingredients supplied to COVID-19 self-quarantined individuals consist of products made from chicken, pork, or beef, and retort foods (sterilized and packaged in aluminum pouches for long-term storage) or canned ingredients are mostly meat from cows, pigs, or chickens. Kara criticized that vegans would find almost nothing edible in these supplies.

Kara pointed out that according to the collected list of supplies, vegans have nothing to eat except white rice and seaweed.

Kara expressed concern that these supplies are not only unhelpful for vegetarians but also insufficient for the nutritional needs of the general public, and that being cut off from the outside for two weeks could lead to worsening metabolic diseases due to lack of exercise and weight gain, resulting in depression. Especially for vegetarians, Kara noted that discarding the supplied meat or giving it to others is also undesirable, which could lead to waste.

COVID-19 self-quarantine supplies for residents in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. The photo is not related to specific expressions in the article. Photo by Kara

Amid ongoing concerns and criticisms about the diets of so-called 'self-quarantined vegetarians,' some have expressed that they do not understand these demands.

Mr. Kim, a company employee in his 40s, said, "Self-quarantine is a very urgent and serious situation," and added, "From their claims, insisting on 'vegetarianism' in such a situation means the country should discuss this issue, but honestly, I doubt whether the country should pay attention to this to such an extent." He continued, "Also, the self-quarantine period is two weeks. Although it varies by person, can't people just not eat vegetarian food or eat only seaweed and rice for two weeks?"

Another company employee in his 30s, Mr. Lee, said, "Even if I can sympathize with vegetarians' opinions, making such demands to medical staff or the government during self-quarantine is unreasonable." He added, "If others also make various demands based on the same logic, it would no longer be self-quarantine but 'customized self-quarantine for citizens,' which is not understandable from a common-sense perspective."

On the other hand, from the perspective of vegetarians, there is also the view that "that could be the case." Ms. Lee, a university student in her 20s, emphasized, "This is not simply a matter of taste; the essence of this controversy is that vegetarians really cannot eat food unless it is vegetarian." She added, "Since there are not many vegetarians, can't the government pay attention to this?"

On the morning of November 12 last year, in front of the National Human Rights Commission in Jung-gu, Seoul, participants including petitioners about to enlist held a press conference titled "Petition to the National Human Rights Commission for Guaranteeing the Right to Choose Vegetarian Meals in the Military," urging the establishment of policies to guarantee the right to choose vegetarian meals in group catering within the military.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Requests for vegetarian meal options in mass catering are not new. About 30 civic groups including the Green Party, Gonggam Public Interest and Human Rights Foundation, and animal rights group Kara held a press conference last November in front of the Human Rights Commission in Jung-gu, Seoul, together with four petitioners about to enlist, urging the Ministry of National Defense to establish policies guaranteeing the right to choose vegetarian meals in the military.

They argued, "Vegetarianism is not a mere preference but a belief and conscience against animal exploitation," and "Guaranteeing the right to choose vegetarian meals is linked to vegetarians' rights to pursue happiness, health rights, and freedom of conscience."

Meanwhile, a Kara official called for the state's consideration of vegetarians. The official said, "The core of COVID-19 prevention is treating confirmed cases and blocking further infections from close contacts," and emphasized, "Since the government issues and enforces self-quarantine guidelines, careful consideration should also be given to help people comply and maintain their health during the quarantine period."

He continued, "Everyone is struggling in this national crisis, and quarantine officials are overburdened. However, we must not forget that vegetarians do exist among self-quarantined individuals and that they also need consideration," adding, "In this uncertain crisis, fresh fruits, easily stored vegetables, side dishes without meat, instant brown rice, vegetarian dumplings or ramen will be essential ingredients not only for vegetarians but for everyone during the two-week quarantine period with restricted outings and exercise. We must prepare these to be ready for a prolonged battle."