'K-방역 주역은 국민'... 거리두기 등 실천율 메르스 때보다 높아 A recent survey shows South Koreans adhered more strictly to social distancing and personal hygiene guidelines during this pandemic than the 2015 MERS outbreak.
As the fight against the virus is drags on for longer than expected, experts say this is positive sign.
Kim Do-yeon brings us the analysis.
South Koreans' active involvement in COVID-19 preventative measures is outweighing that of the 2015 MERS outbreak.
Using data from 2015, Gallup Korea and Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center conducted a survey of around 2,000 people, to compare the differences in preventive measure participation.
The results showed a huge change in behaviors. During the COVID-19 outbreak, a significant number of people avoided crowded areas when compared to MERS in 2015.
In addition, people have been twice as likely to practice social distancing during COVID-19.
As for personal hygiene practices, there has been a striking difference.
During MERS, 15-point-five-percent of the respondents said they wore facial protection. In 2020, that figure is at 80-percent and there's a 20-percent increase in hand-washing frequency.
The doctor who conducted the survey explains what this means for today's response to COVID-19.
"We are protecting ourselves from the virus as well as stopping it from spreading. This is the most efficient way to protect yourself, your family, and the community...especially when there is no cure or vaccine."
South Koreans were fearful during the MERS outbreak due to its high fatality rate. The disease infected one-hundred-86 people nationwide, and caused three-hundred-78 deaths.
The doctor added that a possible explanation for the increase in preventive behavior this time around is due to the public’s previous experience of emerging infectious disease epidemics including MERS.
Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News
#COVID19 #participation #compare
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