'South Korean Leader Said Coronavirus Would ‘Disappear.’ It Was a Costly Error.' diff viewer (21/22)

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South Korean Leader Said Coronavirus Would ‘Disappear.’ It Was a Costly Error.	South Korean Leader Said Coronavirus Would ‘Disappear.’ It Was a Costly Error.
2020-06-24 14:59:04 UTC	2020-07-02 19:52:17 UTC (8 days later)
SEOUL, South Korea — There were 28 cases of the coronavirus in South Korea on Feb. 13. Four days had passed without a new confirmed infection. President Moon Jae-in predicted that the outbreak would “disappear before long,” while the prime minister assured people that it was OK not to wear surgical masks outdoors.	SEOUL, South Korea — There were 28 cases of the coronavirus in South Korea on Feb. 13. Four days had passed without a new confirmed infection. President Moon Jae-in predicted that the outbreak would “disappear before long,” while the prime minister assured people that it was OK not to wear surgical masks outdoors.
As it turns out, the virus had been rapidly spreading at the time through a large, secretive church in Daegu, where it has since mushroomed into the largest epidemic of the coronavirus outside China, with 2,022 cases, including 13 deaths.	As it turns out, the virus had been rapidly spreading at the time through a large, secretive church in Daegu, where it has since mushroomed into the largest epidemic of the coronavirus outside China, with 2,022 cases, including 13 deaths.
[Read: ‘Proselytizing robots’: Inside South Korean church at outbreak’s center.]	[Read: ‘Proselytizing robots’: Inside South Korean church at outbreak’s center.]
Now the president is facing a political backlash over his response as the number of cases continues to climb — 505 new infections on Thursday alone.	Now the president is facing a political backlash over his response as the number of cases continues to climb — 505 new infections on Thursday alone.
Opposition politicians are seizing on what they call Mr. Moon’s mishandling of the crisis, by not moving quickly to close the country’s borders to China and not supplying enough surgical masks for citizens. The virus is also intensifying existing pressure from the weak economy, which is being made worse by a sharp decline in trade with China, South Korea’s biggest trading partner.	Opposition politicians are seizing on what they call Mr. Moon’s mishandling of the crisis, by not moving quickly to close the country’s borders to China and not supplying enough surgical masks for citizens. The virus is also intensifying existing pressure from the weak economy, which is being made worse by a sharp decline in trade with China, South Korea’s biggest trading partner.
The opposition is vowing to make Mr. Moon’s “incompetence” the top election issue for the April 15 parliamentary polls. And more than one million South Koreans signed an online petition calling for his impeachment.	The opposition is vowing to make Mr. Moon’s “incompetence” the top election issue for the April 15 parliamentary polls. And more than one million South Koreans signed an online petition calling for his impeachment.
“If the outbreak doesn’t let up soon, it could spell a disaster for the ruling camp in the coming elections,” said Ahn Byong-jin, an expert on presidential leadership at Kyung Hee University in Seoul. “The current political leadership remains woefully behind in what to do, how to do it and how to communicate with the people at a time of pandemic like this.”	“If the outbreak doesn’t let up soon, it could spell a disaster for the ruling camp in the coming elections,” said Ahn Byong-jin, an expert on presidential leadership at Kyung Hee University in Seoul. “The current political leadership remains woefully behind in what to do, how to do it and how to communicate with the people at a time of pandemic like this.”
The choices are complicated for South Korea. The virus sprang from China. But much of South Korea’s economy depends on China.	The choices are complicated for South Korea. The virus sprang from China. But much of South Korea’s economy depends on China.
[Read: ‘The face of the coronavirus’: A Hong Kong student shunned in Italy.]	[Read: ‘The face of the coronavirus’: A Hong Kong student shunned in Italy.]
Mr. Moon’s government has been reluctant to close the doors on visitors from mainland China even as 40 countries did, including the United States, and North Korea. South Korea has banned travelers only from the Chinese province of Hubei, where the global outbreak started.	Mr. Moon’s government has been reluctant to close the doors on visitors from mainland China even as 40 countries did, including the United States, and North Korea. South Korea has banned travelers only from the Chinese province of Hubei, where the global outbreak started.
To Mr. Moon’s government, banning travelers would not have had a “practical benefit.” To critics, not doing so may have helped the highly infectious pathogen spread, further undercutting the chances for the economic recovery the country craved.	To Mr. Moon’s government, banning travelers would not have had a “practical benefit.” To critics, not doing so may have helped the highly infectious pathogen spread, further undercutting the chances for the economic recovery the country craved.
[Update: Japan shocks parents by moving to close all schools in response to coronavirus.]	[Update: Japan shocks parents by moving to close all schools in response to coronavirus.]
An editorial in the influential conservative daily Chosun Ilbo warned on Wednesday that fighting the outbreak without banning Chinese visitors was “like trying to catch mosquitoes while keeping the windows open.”	An editorial in the influential conservative daily Chosun Ilbo warned on Wednesday that fighting the outbreak without banning Chinese visitors was “like trying to catch mosquitoes while keeping the windows open.”
Mr. Moon’s political enemies have long accused him of being pro-Chinese or afraid to challenge China’s leader, Xi Jinping. On Feb. 20, when he was on the phone with Mr. Xi, Mr. Moon said that “China’s difficulties are our own difficulties,” according to his office.	Mr. Moon’s political enemies have long accused him of being pro-Chinese or afraid to challenge China’s leader, Xi Jinping. On Feb. 20, when he was on the phone with Mr. Xi, Mr. Moon said that “China’s difficulties are our own difficulties,” according to his office.
A spokesman for Mr. Moon, Kang Min-Seok, noted that no visitor from mainland China had tested positive since South Korea tightened its screening of Chinese arrivals on Feb. 4. He also cited the diminishing number of new Chinese cases outside Hubei.	A spokesman for Mr. Moon, Kang Min-Seok, noted that no visitor from mainland China had tested positive since South Korea tightened its screening of Chinese arrivals on Feb. 4. He also cited the diminishing number of new Chinese cases outside Hubei.
The opposition is also lashing out at some of the government’s early decisions.	The opposition is also lashing out at some of the government’s early decisions.
As it was later discovered, members of the Shincheonji church in Daegu, in the southeast of South Korea, began developing symptoms around Feb. 7-10, days before Mr. Moon said the worst was over. The worshipers continued to attend Sunday services, expectorating and spreading the virus as hundreds of congregants loudly sang and prayed in the tightly seated church.	As it was later discovered, members of the Shincheonji church in Daegu, in the southeast of South Korea, began developing symptoms around Feb. 7-10, days before Mr. Moon said the worst was over. The worshipers continued to attend Sunday services, expectorating and spreading the virus as hundreds of congregants loudly sang and prayed in the tightly seated church.
At the time, the government repeatedly assured people that they did not need to cancel large gatherings. Lee In-young, the majority whip in the National Assembly, urged people to “return fast to normal lives.”	At the time, the government repeatedly assured people that they did not need to cancel large gatherings. Lee In-young, the majority whip in the National Assembly, urged people to “return fast to normal lives.”
Even when Mr. Moon said that things had “stabilized” on Feb. 13, Jung Eun-kyeong, director of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, warned that it was “still too early to say that the outbreak had plateaued.”	Even when Mr. Moon said that things had “stabilized” on Feb. 13, Jung Eun-kyeong, director of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, warned that it was “still too early to say that the outbreak had plateaued.”
“We will be able to say so much later, only when the number of patients in China drops drastically and the danger of the virus entering our country from there has decreased,” Ms. Jung told reporters that same day. “We have to remain vigilant.”	“We will be able to say so much later, only when the number of patients in China drops drastically and the danger of the virus entering our country from there has decreased,” Ms. Jung told reporters that same day. “We have to remain vigilant.”
The government’s optimism faded after a 61-year-old female church member tested positive on Feb. 18, becoming South Korea’s 31st patient. Since then, the cases have skyrocketed, sometimes doubling or tripling in a single day.	The government’s optimism faded after a 61-year-old female church member tested positive on Feb. 18, becoming South Korea’s 31st patient. Since then, the cases have skyrocketed, sometimes doubling or tripling in a single day.
The blowback over the crisis represents an ironic reversal for Mr. Moon.	The blowback over the crisis represents an ironic reversal for Mr. Moon.
He took power after the impeachment of his conservative predecessor, Park Geun-hye, who lost public trust by mishandling disasters, including the sinking of the ferry Sewol.	He took power after the impeachment of his conservative predecessor, Park Geun-hye, who lost public trust by mishandling disasters, including the sinking of the ferry Sewol.
In 2015, when South Korea was hit by an outbreak of the viral Middle East respiratory syndrome, or MERS, Mr. Moon, then an opposition leader, called the crisis “a catastrophe spawned by an incompetent government” led by Ms. Park.	In 2015, when South Korea was hit by an outbreak of the viral Middle East respiratory syndrome, or MERS, Mr. Moon, then an opposition leader, called the crisis “a catastrophe spawned by an incompetent government” led by Ms. Park.
“It was the government that has turned out to be a super-spreader,” he said.	“It was the government that has turned out to be a super-spreader,” he said.
South Korea contained the MERS outbreak to 186 patients largely inside hospitals, although 38 people died. It also learned lessons.	South Korea contained the MERS outbreak to 186 patients largely inside hospitals, although 38 people died. It also learned lessons.
Once the new coronavirus took root, South Korean health officials aggressively tracked down and isolated patients, testing over 10,000 people a day. The recent spike in the number of confirmed cases is related in part to that aggressiveness.	Once the new coronavirus took root, South Korean health officials aggressively tracked down and isolated patients, testing over 10,000 people a day. The recent spike in the number of confirmed cases is related in part to that aggressiveness.
Officials also released data quickly. Smartphone applications provided people with real-time updates on places patients had visited and sent users notifications when they approached such locales.	Officials also released data quickly. Smartphone applications provided people with real-time updates on places patients had visited and sent users notifications when they approached such locales.
But if the coronavirus appears less lethal than MERS, it has proved far more contagious. As it spread across the country, South Koreans began wondering whether they could trust Mr. Moon’s strategy, which relied essentially on the people’s cooperation and awareness.	But if the coronavirus appears less lethal than MERS, it has proved far more contagious. As it spread across the country, South Koreans began wondering whether they could trust Mr. Moon’s strategy, which relied essentially on the people’s cooperation and awareness.
~~Updated June ~~24,~~ 2020~~	Updated June 30, 2020
	Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.	Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.
A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.	A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.
The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.	The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.	The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.	So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.	Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.	A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.