covid19, Living in South Korea

Life in the Time of the Corona Outbreak

(first published at Korea.net)

My family lives in Seoul, less than three hours away from Korea’s epicenter of the outbreak: Daegu. But the corona virus’ outbreak knows no location, religion, nationality or race. It is taking the whole of South Korea by surprise from the time the “super spreader” from the Shincheonji cult was discovered.

The COVID-19 outbreak is scaring us. Who isn’t scared? We find ourselves shifting to a lifestyle the current circumstance chose for us. We stay indoors, in the confines of our homes. But, life goes on.

These days, emails, emergency and delivery messages are always going back and forth to allow us to get on with our lives. We just don’t sit back and wait for what’s next. There are things beyond our control but there’s so much we can still do.

sample of an emergency notification

Here in Korea emergency texts are sent to alert people about a situation. It might be annoying but it gives relief to know what’s happening. The Korean government has sent warnings on bad air quality, cold and heat waves, and now the areas and whereabouts of those with COVID-19.

The country’s online shopping and delivery systems are also exemplary. Just about all groceries like meat, fish, milk, vegetables, fruits and other household needs are delivered to your doorstep. Delivery often goes well until the next morning, especially when a surge in orders is expected.

These past days, my phone had been nonstop in receiving alerts about the status of my orders as well as information that the items had been delivered in front of my door. I love its efficiency!

My sons go to an international school and their academic year schedule is different from the local schools but all international school heads have heeded the advise of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education (SMOE) to postpone the return to school of students to March 9. But this outbreak doesn’t halt their classes. The school shifted to online classes.

parents get more notification of their children’s schoolwork

My kids prefer to go to school. They miss their friends! But they have learned to adjust because they have to. Teachers now take the task of teaching the students through their google classroom. I bet it’s not an easy task. But they, too need to adjust.

I trust in the efforts and the capability of the Korean government. The extensive coverage of the testing plus the support it gives to its residence is admirable. I am looking forward to the day we will wake up grateful that the outbreak is over. What a joyful feeling that will be!

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19 thoughts on “Life in the Time of the Corona Outbreak

  1. Happy to know what is happening on the ground from an actual person, compared to traditional media we see. It is nice to know the necessary adjustments that different sectors partook to cushion the effects of the COVID19. Keep safe there.

  2. Ang catchy ng title. It reminds me of the book Love in the Time of Cholera. I really love how Korea is addressing the problem. I just wish our government in the Philippines do the same.

  3. Kudos to the Korean government for proactively doing their best for their people’s safety and security. Please take extra careful there!

  4. I love the non face to face delivery idea! Good thing supplies are still getting delivered and the local gov’t there is doing their job to keep people updated. 🙂 Please always stay safe!

  5. This is what I love in Korea, minsan annoying kasi super daming alerts but this is to remind us. Kasi hindi naman nila magagawa yung trabaho nila if we won’t cooperate. Maganda din na mabilis pa rin kahit paano ang deliveries. No need na lumabas.

  6. Sana all! Sana dito sa Pinas (worst case scenario) e we still have online delivery services. Yan pinaka worry ko kasi since I have a baby. Hopefully we can find a remedy for Corona Virus.

    Btw, keep safe and take care always 😊

  7. this pandemic is really a great challenge for us. we need to be extra careful to protect ourselves. i am glad that the government of South Korea is capable and extending a lot of efforts to take care of its people. i like that they keep their people well informed about the current situation and gives all the support they need.

  8. Ang tagal napo pala. Grabe bilis ng panahon. Mag iisang taon na pala. Pinag papray ko talaga na sana bumalik na sa dati. Sana maging normal na ang lahat. .Ang daming naapektuhan ng dahil dito..

  9. Sobrang laki talaga ng problemang binigay ng Covid Since Last yr, until Now hndi parin natatapos, kaya hanggang may mga tao parin talagang nanonroblema hanggang ngayon, but Really thanks God Sa patuloy na Pagiinqat Niya sa bawat Isa.. So Proud of You Mommy Wends, if Paano niyo po nilalabanan ang lahat .. just keep on Praying na maging Normal na ulit ang lahat

  10. Dami talagang apektado sa pandemic😞 I wish na pati dito sa Philippines ganyan din kabilis yung government and very active sa lahat para mag assist kung ano yung need natin.Or maging normal na lang ulit lahat katulad dati para no worries na.

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