| U.S. President Donald Trump receives an elbow bump in place of a handshake during a recent White House function. Reuters-Yonhap |
Compiled by Oh Young-jin
Here are some of comments left by readers on The Korea Times Top 10 ranking articles on March 17. We have minimized editing to let the readers appreciate them at their discretion. As with comments on any social network services, they are ad hoc and private, not always reflecting the majority opinions. ― ED.
'Korea shows leadership in global coronavirus fight'
Robert Cornett says: Although South Korea is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, it benefits from two things ― few ports of entries that can be controlled relatively easily and a collectivist population that will sacrifice their own good for the good of the whole. Imagine how few cases there'd be if the church had acted prudently and President Moon Jae-in banned Chinese travelers from the beginning.
I've always been impressed with how quickly Korea's society could militarize, compared to America's individualistic society where it would be like herding cats. America's bungling of this coronavirus is a mixture of an incompetent president/government as well as our collective mindset that we can do whatever we want to do because we can.
| A man in a surgical mask walks by an illuminated flag of the United States as the coronavirus outbreak continued in Manhattan, New York City, New York, March 13, 2020. Reuters-Yonhap |
I stopped by a local YMCA yesterday to postpone my membership for a month and the receptionist asked me, "Is there a reason you want to postpone it?" I was baffled. I then peered into the gym and noticed people were carrying on as usual, like coronavirus doesn't affect basketball players who sweat and grind germs into each other. That's when it dawned on me that we're in for a world of hurt.
58% of Koreans oppose 'anti-disaster basic income,' poll shows
David Jomiloju says: Supporting the citizens during this pandemic is very crucial but the government also needs to put into consideration the foreigners living and studying in Korea as well. Because the situation is equally affecting everyone.
Kevin Kevin Kevin says: (On Jomiloju's comment) That would be hard to sell, because this will be paid mostly by Korean tax payers for Korean citizens. This bill would never pass, because it is too much of liability for working people. Less people working and now more taxes, where is the money coming from???
Michael Aronson says: (On the same thread) They have. They've extended all temporary visas for people whose visas were set to expire in February and March.
S. Korea reports 74 new virus cases, total now at 8,236
Michael Aronson says: Religion is a disease. What part of "avoid non-essential gatherings in crowded places" is so hard for these religious zealots to understand?
Pete Bynon says: I have nothing against people of faith, but these Christians are brainwashed, conned into attending church by their money grubbing church leaders, with God having little to do with it. While the Buddhists and Catholics immediately shut down services, these others continue, either with services or "retreats," which are no safer.
I wouldn't be surprised to see a backlash later when the "church ladies" start back to going door-to-door or advertising their church on street corners. I now despise them, knowing the death and misery they unnecessarily spread.
| A monitor shows the trading information at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, March 16. U.S. stocks opened sharply lower. Reuters-Yonhap |
Small churches become coronavirus hotbed
Babak Bahmanzad says: Just close all the religious places. No need to be soft with these brain-washed groups. What is this government thinking of? What happens if we close supermarkets for a week? I am sure the whole society will go paralyzed. What about closing the transportation system? The answer is the same. Think about any profession. If we close that job for a week the whole society faces tremendous difficulty and has negative impact on the economy. Now imagine we close the religious places not only for a week but a year. What will happen? The answer is nothing will happen. In fact the people will stop being a slave and will start thinking and it will be positive for the society.