"Discussions on Mask Wearing Must Continue"
"Negative Regulation Approach Preferred for Wearing in Specific Places"
Professor Jaehoon Jeong of the Department of Preventive Medicine at Gachon University College of Medicine attended the "COVID-19 Expert Invitation Special Briefing" held by the Central Disease Control Headquarters at the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency in Cheongju, Chungbuk, last July. He is responding to questions from the Public Communication Group regarding the effectiveness of social distancing during the Omicron surge. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] As voices call for shifting the COVID-19 response system from emergency response to routine response, Professor Jung Jae-hoon, an advisor to the national infectious disease crisis response and a professor of preventive medicine at Gachon University College of Medicine, stated that the time to lift the mask-wearing mandate is approaching.
On the 19th, Professor Jung appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' and said, "Returning to normal means that at some point, masks must be removed," adding, "Discussions about when masks can be removed and under what conditions should continue consistently."
However, Professor Jung emphasized the need for phased easing measures regarding the mask-wearing mandate. He said, "Social distancing was eased gradually, first by one hour and then completely," and added, "I believe such approaches can be very applicable to mask-wearing as well."
Professor Jung explained that since many citizens have recently acquired immunity to COVID-19, the disadvantages of wearing masks may outweigh the benefits. He pointed out, "Currently, many people have acquired immunity, so the effectiveness is somewhat reduced as a premise," and noted, "There are many side effects emerging in children's education and development."
He further stated, "I believe the mask-wearing mandate for infants and toddlers should be lifted," emphasizing, "Especially in that area, the lifting should happen relatively quickly. Regarding the issue of lifting mask mandates, a negative regulation approach is most desirable."
Negative regulation means that mask-wearing is mandatory in specific places, but not required elsewhere. Professor Jung said, "I think it would be helpful to continue mask-wearing in places like medical institutions, public transportation, and workplaces where people work in very close indoor settings."
Meanwhile, with the World Health Organization (WHO) recently expressing optimistic prospects about COVID-19 becoming endemic, the government is beginning discussions on an 'exit strategy' for the COVID-19 situation. On the 16th, Jeong Ki-seok, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters' COVID-19 Special Response Team and chair of the National Infectious Disease Crisis Response Advisory Committee, stated at a regular briefing, "We need to start discussions on transitioning from the current emergency COVID-19 response system to a routine COVID-19 response system."
On the same day, there was also mention of lifting the indoor mask-wearing mandate. Jeong said, "I recently attended a respiratory conference in Europe, and there, doctors from Europe and the United States gathered indoors for lectures and discussions without anyone wearing masks," adding, "There are few countries that enforce indoor mask mandates as strictly as South Korea."
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