However, as more than 90% of the population do wear them and since the number of coronavirus cases is very low in Korea, the ones that refuse to wear masks most likely will not become infected with COVID-19.
Korean news media reports on the number of new coronavirus cases in the previous day, related deaths and other information daily.
From that information, Koreans have seen, themselves, that a group of people refusing to wear masks and socially distance can cause hundreds, if not thousands of infections.
Korea has a national medical insurance system, contract tracing, free testing and mobile phones alerts with information on locations visited by those infected coronavirus along with recommendations to be tested to those who may have been in contact with an infected person or just want to check.
If President Moon acted like Trump, then Korea's situation definitely would be much worse.
There are groups in Korea that claim coronavirus is a hoax, refuse to socially distance and such. If Trump had led Korea, these groups would have created even more problems.
Korea has a population of over 50 million. It has had in total 25,775 coronavirus cases and 457 related deaths as of midnight on October 23. The number of new coronavirus infections yesterday was 77, of which 11 cases were from people who were tested after arriving from overseas (free of charge, I think).
If the US had taken the same approach as Korea or Japan and obtained similar results, it would have less than 200,000 coronavirus cases and 4,000 deaths.
A majority of deaths, loss of jobs and other misfortunes in the US due to coronavirus are, in my thinking, due to Trump's misguided efforts to become reelected and those that empower him. What is going on in their minds? Talk about being selfish.
Unintentional murder? Definitely thought about the consequences of playing down the coronavirus and very likely increase in deaths. Intentional murder, but done anyway because they could get away with it? Either way, it's a type of murder.
Holding large rallies? Korea let a mass rally be held a few months ago which resulted in hundreds of new cases. Accordingly, large rallies are not being allowed in Korea for now. People are allowed to go to sports events but at a 30% capacity limit with social distancing and masks required.
Holding large rallies without masks? I doubt that would be allowed, much less held, by any sane leader of a country with a coronavirus epidemic.
It's ironic that many of Trump's supporters wear MAGA hats. Trump has definitely not made America great again in the eyes of the world. Albeit, he stood up to China.
Interestingly, both China and Trump do not seem to be interested in fair play. Ditto for most corporations.
Why do people listen to demagogic politicians instead of reason? Cognitive dissonance?
I remember they used to have smoking sections on airplanes and Koreans weren't allowed to go overseas without government permission. You could get permission if you had government duties (diplomatic, etc.), for business, college education and other limited purposes.
Koreans could go abroad freely a few years after former President Park Chung-hee, often titled dictator by American media and many mindful Koreans, was assassinated.
Did you know that Koreans fought in Vietnam, mostly due to Korea being an American ally and that Americans fought in the Korean War? Some state that it was also to fight communism.
Some things have changed for the better, while some things, like climate change and pollution, have become worse. Wonder what the future will hold?
