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When Will We See the End of the Long War Against COVID-19?
  • 정승혜 수습기자
  • 등록 2021-10-31 23:10:07
  • 수정 2021-11-01 01:50:20
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 There are many people who are gradually losing their daily life due to COVID-19. Many people, including those who have petitioned for bankruptcy due to COVID-19 and self-employed people who have closed their stores, are facing a sad reality. Currently, the number of COVID-19 patients in Korea has begun to increase rapidly, and the fourth level of the social distancing system is being implemented. In the United States, the number of deaths continues to increase as the number of COVID-19-critical patients increases, especially among non-vaccinated people. However, many European countries, such as the UK, Denmark, Singapore, Germany, and France, have declared a policy of coexisting with COVID-19. In addition, Japan, which is located close to Korea, is also said to be considering implementing a policy of coexisting with COVID-19 starting in November.

 

 Coexisting with COVID-19 means preventing COVID-19 and living daily lives at the same time despite the prolonged pandemic. In other words, it essentially means considering COVID-19 as similar to the flu and proceeding with daily life. Currently, Korea implements a social distancing policy, and many people live with restrictions on their daily lives. However, if the coexisting with COVID-19 policy is implemented, social distancing standards will be relaxed, and students will conduct face-to-face classes as before. In addition, the PCR inspection system before entry into the country will be eased or eliminated. Many social and economic restrictions are in response to COVID-19, so there is the advantage that if the coexisting with COVID-19 policy is implemented, people can return to daily life. However, experts predict that the number of confirmed cases will increase rapidly if the coexisting with COVID-19 rule is implemented and social distancing is eased. Therefore, they say sufficient preparations and solutions should be prepared before the implementation of the new policy. About 70% of the people in Korea responded positively to the implementation of the coexisting with COVID-19 policy. What many countries implementing the coexisting with COVID-19 policy have in common is that they generally recorded high vaccination rates. In countries such as the UK, Denmark, and Singapore, 60-80% of the people have been fully vaccinated. Currently, Korea expects the vaccination rate to be 70% at the end of October and is planning to review the coexisting with COVID-19 policy.

  

 In August 2021, major countries such as Singapore, France, Germany, and Denmark, led by the UK, have introduced the coexisting with COVID-19 policy. The UK is a representative country of coexisting with COVID-19. On July 19, 2021, the UK declared “Free Day” and lifted restrictions on all gatherings and facility operations, and as of September 3, the vaccination rate was 63%. In crowded indoor facilities such as public transportation, it is strongly recommended that people wear a mask, but the choice of wearing a mask itself is left to individual citizens. Therefore, true coexisting with COVID-19 is being implemented. The number of confirmed cases has recently increased again since the implementation of coexisting with COVID-19. It has been said that COVID-19 vaccine passports will be introduced in places where large crowds gather. In late June, Singapore introduced a coexisting with COVID-19 policy that accepts the COVID-19 virus as a part of daily life like the flu. Unlike coexisting with COVID-19 in the UK, the standards for private gatherings were lifted, but some quarantine measures, such as tracking confirmed patients, were further strengthened, leaving it mandatory to wear a mask. As of September 2, the vaccination rate is 75.33%, deregulation is eased, the number of people allowed at private gatherings is increased from two to five, and cultural events of more than 500 are possible, but the obligation to wear masks continues. Denmark is the fastest country in Europe to initiate a daily recovery policy. Since the introduction of the “COVID-19 Pass (Vaccination Certificate)” in April, those who bring a COVID-19 pass or a PCR test negative certificate conducted within 72 hours have been allowed to freely use restaurants, cafes, bars, movie theaters, gymnasiums, and stadiums. And starting September 1, COVID-19 was lifted from socially important diseases and most of the quarantine regulations were suspended. Most European countries such as France and Germany still require proof of vaccination to enter restaurants and cafes, but most other quarantine regulations have been gradually lifted. In particular, France will have no restrictions when entering multi-use facilities such as restaurants, cafes, bars, movie theaters, and museums starting November 15, and only indoor masks will be mandatory.

 

 Coexisting with COVID-19 is not the end, as you can see from the meaning of With rather than End. The biggest reason for the emergence of COVID-19 coexistence is the mutation of the virus. It is almost impossible to make separate quarantine systems, vaccines, and treatments suitable for mutations. The social and economic damage due to the prolonged COVID-19 quarantine system is more serious than expected. The extreme choice of small business owners, who had been struggling with the recent prolonged quarantine measures, made many people feel sorry for them. In addition, social and economic damage and sacrifices caused by COVID-19 social distancing are more than imagined. Considering these sacrifices, coexisting with COVID-19 is considered a necessity, not an option. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, preparations for the new coexisting with COVID-19 policy will begin in late September to early October. In the case of the UK, which introduced coexisting with COVID-19, there have been about 30,000 confirmed cases recently. Therefore, there are voices of concern that the introduction of the new COVID-19 policy in Korea will end quarantine precautions. Therefore, there will be several steps in the process of finding our lost daily lives. Group immunity can function properly only when the vaccination rate is above a certain level. Also, the attitude of everyone who accepts coexisting with COVID-19 is important. Even if the coexisting with COVID-19 policy is implemented, personal hygiene and quarantine rules must be observed. The war against COVID-19 is not the end of the war, but a truce, so it is necessary not to let go of the tension.

 

 Two years have passed since the arrival of coronavirus, which has changed the course of modern history. The fierce battle between humans and viruses centered on whether people could develop and implement vaccines. However, the virus cannot be easily destroyed due to various mutations and breakthrough infections. Among them, many sacrifices followed. Merchants who run their own stores closed their stores and gave up their livelihoods, students gave up school, and doctors and nurses are fighting against the virus with blood and sweat. Many countries have declared coexistence with COVID-19, just as they would choose a truce in a prolonged war. We don't know what the future will be like with COVID-19, but as always, humans will find a way to move forward. 



Planning Editor·KIM DA HUN·ekq8458@kyonggi.ac.kr

76th Cub reporter·JEONG SEUNG HYE·nora28@naver.com 

International Reporter·TRAN THI THU NGOC·thungoctran99@gmail.com

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