Interview

 What was the reason you were quarantined?

Anonymous: I had to go to Vietnam on a trip. But in the middle of the trip, South Korea suddenly found itself conforonted with a severe COVID-19 situation. Then, while I was resting at a hotel, I was forced to go to a COVID-19 quarantine facility and placed under quarantine.

What was the reason you were quarantined?

Anonymous: Since I was abroad, I experienced facility quarantine.

Did you do self quarantine or facility quarantine?

Anonymous: During the quarantine period, I was served every meal and used my smartphone despite the slow Internet service. Moreover, I kept sleeping. I could only do these three things at the quarantine facility.

What did you do during the quarantine?

Anonymous: During the quarantine period, I was served every meal and used my smartphone despite the slow Internet service. Moreover, I kept sleeping. I could only do these three things at the quarantine facility.

What were the rules that you had to follow?

Anonymous: There were no particular rules. However, it was important not to go outside of the designated building.

Tell me about the inconveniences you experienced through quarantine.

Anonymous: I was quarantined abroad, not in our country, so I had a communication problem in the foreign country. In addition, as you can see in the picture, there was a problem of human rights violations, such as being forced to have X-ray after taking off my top in a hallway that was visible to people outside through a window. Besides, this there were also the poor quarantine facilities and the anxious feeling that I was trapped aboard. Maybe I experienced a lot different things compared to a quarantined person in this country.

 Tell me if you know how quarantine actions in our country are different from those in other countries.

Anonymous: I haven’t heard much. However, I think that the above problems are likely to occur less often in Korea than abroad.

Korea: In the case of a self-quarantining person, the person is prohibited from going out of the quarantine place and must live alone in an independent space to prevent the spread of infection. Eating alone and using a private bathroom is preferred. However, you disinfect the toilet with disinfectant after using it, others can use it. In rooms, open a window with the door closed and ventilate the room periodically. For medical treatment, if you must go out, first you should contact your appointed health center, not the person you are living with. Use your own personal items, such as and plates. Furthermore, you should observe health rules such as frequently washing your hands and wearing masks. In the case of a facility-quarantined person, the person cannot go outside his or her living space and is prohibited from visiting his or her parents while living in the facility. They must not talk or contact others. If it is unavoidable, keep a distance of at least 2 meters with a mask on. Also, you must stop smoking and drinking while you are in the facility.

U.S.: In the case of a self-quarantining person, the person must live alone in an individual space and be the only owe to use personal items just like in Korea. He or she must refrain from going out except to visit a medical institution. Contact should be avoided with not only family members living together, but also pets.

Due to COVID-19, quarantined people have had difficulty controlling their daily lives. In addition, they are the recipients of people’s antagonistic views and suffer discrimination only because they are“quarantine people.” In these confusing times, anyone can be subject to COVID-19 quarantine. We must approach the quarantined person with respect and gratitude, not a critical eye. We must know about both self-quarantine and facility quarantine to protect ourselves and others; moreover, the cooperation of those who actively participate in quarantine is the best way to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.

74th Cub Reporter•GONG JINYOUNG•wlsdud03520@naver.com

74th Cub Reporter•LEE JOOHAENG•silkyshine@naver.com