Serious, and infectious epidemics seem to exist only in the movies or the countries far from us. However, due to the increasing international exchange such as overseas trips and trades, it started to give direct effects to all over the world and many citizens are more worried about breakout of epidemics than before. In reality, because of infectious international disease - Ebola, many Korean strongly insisted that international events that were supposed to held in DukSeong Women's University should be suspended or stopped. Although Korean government and DukSeong explained the Ebola situation, it was beyond their ability to calm down Korean citizens since there wasn't any exact news or prevention. Even though it seems to be not dangerous, the world should suspend all the international events and games if epidemic break out.
As everyone knows, since international events and games' scale is enormous and wide, many people -especially foreigners and goods from overseas enter to attend those events. In reality, for example, the yachting center which held the international yacht race in Qingdao, China closed its door. The government insisted that it's because of toxic algal bloom, however, a Chinese netizen disclosed that it were because of epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis.(Park, 2008) Seeing, we can realize that the government counters outbreak of epidemics by suspending its race or shutting the area because international events and its participant could spread infectious disease all over the world.
Also, although airport quarantine station and other organization work hard by various ways, since international events have many variables, it is hard to stop epidemics by just checking overseas goods and people.
Also, although airport quarantine station and other organization work hard by various ways, since international events have many variables, it is hard to stop epidemics by just checking overseas goods and people.
International events and breakout or spread of international epidemics might be not related. However, in two points of view -one is about prevention system, and another is about opinions and responses of citizens, proceeding international events or game quite affect our society negatively with epidemics.
Of course, WHO, governments and Airport quarantine station always keep an eye on breakout and spread of international epidemics. According to Incheon Airport Web site, they quarantine almost every good from all over the world and have very difficult, picky process or law. If you look into their manual, you will realize how difficult to bring overseas goods to the country. (Kim,2014) Also, WHO(World Health Organization) has divided the situation when the epidemic breaks out. Looked like this, many people and organization are working hard to prevent or stop the international epidemics. However, although they do their best to prevent it, dangerous infectious diseases always break out and cause negative results. It is because of increasing of an international exchange as I mentioned in the introduction. Especially, international events, which many people-maybe people all around the world attend contribute to spreading of epidemics. Occasionally, Its scale is quite extensive so many foreigners make a transfer, and they are likely to be 'moving' source of infection.
Actually, In 2009, during influenza season, there was Global Fair & Festival in Incheon, Korea.(Naver news,2009) As many people supposed and worried, it caused many infected people and brought chaos and concern to many people. Although people quarantine and examine foreigners and overseas goods, since quarantine and prevention are people's work, if international events and games are held, there might be serious and rapid spread of international epidemics.
Also, in the situation that doesn't have any exact prevention of epidemics and news or report about it, just proceeding international events will only bring confusion to the people and our whole society. In effect, Korean government and the host's confused, a late decision and response made Korean citizens felt great fear when the Model UN was held in DukSeong Women's University in Seoul during Ebola season.(Choi, 2014) Even Korean citizens moved against that international events and kept insisting suspend of the event. Korean citizens did that kind of fierce behavior because there weren't enough news,reports,or certain prevention of Ebola. Therefore, their movement achieved prohibition of three Nigerian students' entry and this happening drew world's attention and brought the country's dignity down the ground. If these events were delayed, Korean citizens would not have done these things.
Although my opinion is correct and reasonable, some people will against my opinion. They will reason two things. First is that we can certainly solve the epidemic problem in advance since there are many systems for it. Second is that if the international events are suspended just because of spread of international epidemics, there will be loss of time and money. However, there are always unexpected elements although people and organization prevent international epidemics beforehand. Because of Ebola, many children in Africa became 'Ebola Orphan'.(Patrick,2014) Its problem can be solved soon, but we don't have enough ability to resolve the after situation. Also, since citizens have only one way to know the truth( by news, reports), calming down and ensuring them by certain solution - suspending, delaying international events can be effective way to cool down people and prevent spread or outbreak of international diseases.
Since international exchange is more increasing than before, it is hard to prevent or stop the prevalence of international epidemics. Also, if an epidemic is not familiar diseases for people, their confusion will be growing too. Therefore, the world needs to cooperate to delay the international events or stop them to calm down citizens all over the world and prevent international diseases. Remind the happening of DukSeong Women's university during Ebola season. This situation brought confusion but also a crisis between the countries. Also, this situation shows how we should react to outbreak of international epidemics when we don't have any knowledge or prevention. When there aren't exact and enough solution to prevent international epidemics, the whole world should suspend all the international events if epidemics breakout.
References
http://kr.wsj.com/posts/2014/10/24/
http://www.sisafocus.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=103620
http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=102&oid=003&aid=0002831984
http://www.mt.co.kr/view/mtview.php?type=1&no=2008071711372055272&outlink=1
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http://blog.naver.com/sagemara/11046041
http://www.mt.co.kr/view/mtview.php?type=1&no=2008071711372055272&outlink=1
