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| An exhausted medical worker wearing full protective suit rests on a chair after treating COVID-19 patients at Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center in Daegu, in this Feb. 23 file photo. /Yonhap |
By Bahk Eun-ji
Korea has been successfully handling COVID-19 containment although the country has been one of the hardest-hit nations outside of China. Slowdown of the outbreak can be achieved not only by the government's actions to fight against the virus, but also by the public's active contribution to overcome the outbreak.
Since the first patient was confirmed in Daegu, the epicenter of the virus outbreak here on Feb. 18, rescue workers, volunteers and medical workers from all parts of the country have volunteered to help the affected region.
While the city observed a great surge in numbers of infections at the end of last month, Daegu Medical Association President Lee Seong-koo appealed to his fellow doctors to lend a helping hand in the desperate fight against COVID-19. Hundreds of doctors and nurses ― from doctors working at general hospitals to those running their own clinics ― have rushed to the city to treat patients and to join the battle against the highly contagious virus.
In just one day, more than 1,300 nurses volunteered to work. According to the Daegu Medical Association and the Korea Nurses Association (KNA), about 400 doctors and 3,000 nurses are working at government-designated hospitals and screening centers in the city.
Volunteers also helped to check patients' blood pressures and body temperatures even if they do not have medical certifications.
"In a situation where one nurse can take care of 20 to 30 patients on average in each hospital, those volunteers are playing an important role as well," said a KNA official.
Companies join fight against virus
Major companies also joined the virus fight by offering massive donations and providing daily necessities and emergency medical supplies. At the end of last month, Samsung Group, the nation's largest conglomerate, announced that it would donate 30 billion won ($24.6 million) to the Korea Disaster Relief Association. The group also said its 14 affiliates including Samsung Electronics also made donations of medical supplies and daily necessities.
Hyundai Motor Group also said it would donate 5 billion won in cash to the Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association. The group provided supplies such as protective masks and hand sanitizers not only for medical staff but also for low-income families.
LG Group donated 5 billion won to the Community Chest of Korea, asking the relief organization to utilize the money to help people living in Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province. In addition to the donation, LG Household & Healthcare will also provide 1 billion won worth of hand sanitizer for people in the area.
SK Group also announced 5 billion won in donations to the Community Chest of Korea to assist those in the coronavirus-hit Daegu and its neighboring province. Similarly, Lotte Group, GS Group, Doosan Group and CJ Group each offered 1 billion won.
Support from citizens
Civilians have also joined together to give support for people who are struggling with the virus. According to the Daegu Metropolitan Government, the Seoumun Market Federation in Daegu donated daily necessities to the medical staff at Dongsan Medical Center and Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center. The two medical institutions are the government-designated hospitals where infected patients are treated.
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| Volunteer workers pack boxes of relief goods, including masks, hand sanitizers and food, at a local branch of the Korea National Red Cross in Busan, March 16. The boxes will be delivered to some 1,900 households with low incomes. / Yonhap |
"It's a difficult situation for us but we couldn't sit still when we heard the news about the shortage of daily supplies for medical workers here in Daegu," said a member of the federation.
Some landlords at the Seomun Market had already decided to reduce rental fees or waive them from merchants who are in an uphill battle against the economic effects of the virus.
Busan-based liquor manufacturer Daeseon sent four tons of raw material for disinfectant to Dalseo-gu in Daegu. The Dalseo regional office said it will use the material for disinfection work of welfare facilities. Pohang City in North Gyeongsang Province received 210 million won in donations from more than 300 civic organizations and individuals to Daegu City. The Gyeongbuk Provincial Sports Association also donated 5,000 surgical masks to the Gyeongbuk Social Welfare Fundraiser.
The Youth Volunteer Corps in North Gyeongsang Province started a campaign to save the regional economy by purchasing food products from traditional markets and small restaurants in the region to make lunch boxes. Members of the volunteer group made 250 lunch boxes and distributed them at four places including Gyeongsan regional city hall, a regional health care center, and two selected clinics. The volunteer group said they plan to continue providing the lunch boxes until next month.
