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© Thomson Reuters 2021.South Koreans no longer need masks outdoors if vaccinated against COVID-19
By Sangmi Cha SEOUL©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.
34 Comments
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Aly Rustom
that's a very good idea! prefectures can also use Public schools- elementary JH and HS on Sundays to vaccinate senior citizens and others
Express sister
This is just untrue.
ian
How do you know you immune system is strong enough to prevent covid?
kurisupisu
As in the UK where it is possible to safely do many actions with little risk.
Walking around with a mask is not necessary.
virusrex
The first is an invalid conclusion from over generalization, the second part is just a mistaken idea born from not understanding correctly the immune system.
Having normal levels of vitamin D is important for the immune system, but so are other nutrients, no benefit against COVID has been proved for levels above normal.
Mask wearing can be perfectly logical and reasonable measure that lower the risk for anybody that gets infected by COVID-19 and has demonstrated use in preventing spreading and unnecessary deaths, including young and healthy people. There is no data whatsoever that mask use is related in any way with any immune problem.
That is not an answer to the question, in reality perfectly healthy and young people have had serious complications or even died because of COVID, there is nothing that can guarantee that the infection will be benign and that the immune system will 100% of the time defeat the infection.
COVID vaccines are the product of over a decade of development and tested in the same schedule of other vaccines in use for humans without problem, that is not something rushed. The manufactures do not have legal immunity and in medicine nothing is ever guaranteed to a 100%.
No vaccine is mandatory, but it is much easier to understand how the pandemic with its much higher dangers than influenza justifies a much stronger promotion of the value of safe and effective measures as the vaccines.
Yubaru
With a population less than half of that of Japan, a little over 51 million, SK seems to be on the ball with getting the vaccine out to the people where they need it, and NOT just set up "mass" inoculation sites.
THe government here should just focus on getting the vaccine to the people and let the prefectures deal with distributing it through their own local hospitals and clinics!
Monty
In my understanding and that is what many posters here also said:
Even you are vaccinated you can get infected and can spread the Virus.
So is it not more safe to continue to wear a mask?
kurisupisu
Wearing a mask outside has made me short of. breath and in the summer overheat.
As the inside of the mask becomesmore humid then fungal infections can occur and bacteria can more easily reproduce.
Wearing a mask outside where viral loads are lower is a problem...
didou
I never wear a mask outdoors.
Was it compulsory in South Korea, or just a requirement like in Japan ?
ian
Well how would you know it's already strong enough to prevent covid that you don't need to be vaccinated?
Whatsnext
You don't have to wear a mask in Japan.
WilliB
Masks outdoors are nonsensical anyway. And now they upgraded the virtue signalling to actual discrimination against part of the population. How just commanding the non-vaccinated wear a Corona=shaped star on their clothing?
The Avenger
Vaccination is nobody’s business but your own. Definitely not the government’s business!
itsonlyrocknroll
If in a area where people congregate, supermarket, especially on coupon days it is sound common sense to wear a mask. And use the hand dispenser, and where possible social distance.
I have been taking to wearing a mask outside in Kochi City. And the Harimayabashi.
ian
Hopefully this news will somehow motivate the govt to release the vaccines and the hesitant to get vaccinated
Happy Day
Why are people wearing masks outside?
n1k1
This is happening everywhere in Asia. Seems to me Asians aren't really OK with western medicine.
I bet the majority of Koreans think eating Kimuchi is as effective as the vaccines.
Christopher Glen
"So is it not more safe to continue to wear a mask?"
But that's the whole carrot and stick approach of the vax campaign. Take the rushed vax (the manufacturers have legal immunity) and you can have your life back. Oh and no guarantees re getting/ spreading the virus after you do.
But wait..there's booster shots. (Cynical wink). Kind of curious why flu vaccines, which tend to be more reputably made - were never made mandatory.
Goodlucktoyou
Paper masks most probably spread the viruses if not used properly. Vaccines are for emergency use only. Vaccinated people can spread. New variants are not full tested.
social distance, wash your hands and spend time having fun in fresh air.
Strangerland
No he's not, that's just you projecting what you think he should have said.
Competent leaders don't insinuate. They are particularly careful to make sure they say exactly what they mean to say.
Incompetent leaders tweet off the cuff.
Christopher Glen
Let me get this right. If we take a rushed vaccine (all manufacturers of them have a history of lawsuits) we can get our lives back. How generous...
Oh and I forgot...all manufacturers have immunity from prosecution. I'm going to wait a bit, methinks.
"Regular exposure to various pathogens helps keep your immune system active, so constant mask wearing can't be a good thing."
Precisely. But you're preaching to the wrong crowd here. I for my part ditch my mask whenever possible.
Raw Beer
No. Can't say more...
itsonlyrocknroll
July?
Is there to be a date and a time?
A mask is certainly no guarantee of succumbing Covid.
Masks create a pleasant human environment, the responsive nod to our fellow shoppers that we care.
Raw Beer
Vitamin D status has been strongly associated with protection against upper respiratory infection. Vitamin D is important for having a proper functioning immune system, including prevention of overreaction from the immune system (cytokine storm). Regular exposure to various pathogens helps keep your immune system active, so constant mask wearing can't be a good thing.
If you often get sick, change your diet (low carb, vit D...) and lifestyle (sleep well, exercise...) to improve your immune system.
Raw Beer
Yes, shock!!!
Over the past 20 years, Pfizer has been fined (for bribes, falsifying data...) 71 times for a total of $4,660,896,333. Other pharmas have similar convictions. They don't care one bit, they just integrate these costs into their business model. We should expect this pattern to continue.
You don't need these "vaccines" to be able to breath freely. If you want to wear a mask or get the shot, go ahead. I need neither.
RM
You don't need a mask on outside. Vitamin D and a strong immune system are all you need to prevent covid.