The Coronavirus (COVID-19)

During orientation, the coronavirus seemed far off and abstract, even something to joke about. It was happening in a different world. When orientation concluded, we entered the real world where coronavirus was a real problem.  Now in our new homes across South Korea, Busan in my case, the school year was put on hold.  All the teachers at my orientation, as a precaution, were asked to self-quarantine in our apartments for one week.  It was made clear that if any of the 350 new teachers at orientation developed symptoms during the isolation, everyone would need to extend their quarantine.  Equipped with face masks, hand sanitizer, and my very own ear thermometer, I was instructed to stay home as much as possible, avoid crowds, and call the hotline if I got sick.

When I landed in South Korea on February 17th there were only 30 confirmed cases of coronavirus.  Hardly a significant number in a country of 51 million people.  But at the time of writing this, there are now over 7,000 known cases and 49 deaths.

But how did this happen? And so suddenly?  Let me tell you about patient #31, the super-spreader.  A sixty-one-year-old woman had developed symptoms, but having no recent travel history or known exposure to anyone with coronavirus, allegedly attended religious services at the secretive Christian sect, Sincheonji Church of Jesus in Daegu.  Roughly 60% of all cases in South Korea stem from that group. The KoreaHerald reported that patient #31 initially refused to be tested for coronavirus because she did not believe she was infected, but her symptoms worsened and she eventually relented.  Even more troubling is that the group has been accused of being uncooperative with authorities in locating their members for testing.  The leader of the sect, Lee Man-Hee, who's followers believe him to be the literal second coming of Christ, went on national television to apologize and pledge co-operation in combating the virus.  Investigations into the group and lawsuits are pending.

Meanwhile, in Busan, there are currently 95 known cases and the school year has been postponed for an additional two weeks. My self-isolation is over, but exploring the city is unadvisable. But for many, life seems to be going on as usual. There are people at the park enjoying the sun and breathing fresh air, albeit, air filtered through medical face masks.

It's fascinating to watch the response to the coronavirus by Korea as an outsider.  Sincheonji and a few early missteps by the government aside, it seems that the whole country has mobilized to combat the coronavirus. Tens of thousands of people have been tested, resources are being made available, and information is flowing freely.

For the next two weeks, I will report to a virtually empty school to plan my lessons for the school year that I hope won't be further postponed. While the news isn't good, I remain optimistic and positive, yet careful.