• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.55-63
• /
• 2021

Purpose: To identify the differences in perception of and adherence to the COVID-19 social distancing behavior guidelines among health care workers, patients, and the general public and to use them to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Methods: From October 16 2020 to November 30, 2020, a survey was conducted among 85 health care workers, 85 patients, and 82 general public regarding the perception of and adherence to the COVID-19 social distancing behavior guidelines. Results: Patients scored significantly higher than the general public in the adherence to the COVID-19 social distancing behavior guideline, and there was no difference between health care workers and general public, and patients and health care workers. In the multivariate analysis, the factors that influence the adherence of the COVID-19 social distancing behavior guide were found in women and the perception of the COVID-19 social distancing behavior guideline. Conclusion: In order to promote the implementation of the COVID-19 social distancing behavior guideline, it is necessary to increase the perception of the COVID-19 social distancing behavior guideline and provide additional education in men. It is necessary to investigate the reason behind why men have low adherence to the COVID-19 social distancing behavior guideline.

• Asia pacific journal of information systems
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.785-807
• /
• 2020

The novel Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is unprecedentedly changing the world since its outbreak in late 2019. Using the collected the data related to COVID-19 and the social media user data from a mobile application market research agency from January 25 to April 7, this study empirically examines the effect of the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide, the number news COVID-19, and the enforcement of social distancing measures on the daily active users (DAU) of two social media services - Twitter and Facebook - in South Korea. There are three important findings from the results of econometric analysis. First, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide has a negative effect on the DAU of social media. Second, the number of COVID-19 news is negatively associated with the DAU of social media. Finally, the implementation of social distancing measures has no significant effect on the DAU of the social media. Theoretical implications and managerial guidelines are also discussed.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.55 no.6
• /
• pp.568-577
• /
• 2022

Objectives: Many studies have shown that social distancing, as a non-pharmaceutical intervention (NPI) that is one of the various measures against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is an effective preventive measure to suppress the spread of infectious diseases. This study explored the relationships between traditional health-related behaviors in Korea and social distancing practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Data were obtained from the 2020 Community Health Survey conducted by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (n=98 149). The dependent variable was the degree of social distancing practice to cope with the COVID-19 epidemic. Independent variables included health-risk behaviors and health-promoting behaviors. The moderators were vaccination and unmet medical needs. Predictors affecting the practice of social distancing were identified through hierarchical multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: Smokers (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.924) and frequent drinkers (aOR, 0.933) were more likely not to practice social distancing. A greater degree of physical activity was associated with a higher likelihood of practicing social distancing (aOR, 1.029). People who were vaccinated against influenza were more likely to practice social distancing than those who were not (aOR, 1.150). However, people with unmet medical needs were less likely to practice social distancing than those who did not experience unmet medical needs (aOR, 0.757). Conclusions: Social distancing practices were related to traditional health behaviors such as smoking, drinking, and physical activity. Their patterns showed a clustering effect of health inequality. Therefore, when establishing a strategy to strengthen social distancing, a strategy to protect the vulnerable should be considered concomitantly.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.84-90
• /
• 2021

Purpose: This study examined the effects of social distancing in COVID-19 on musculoskeletal problems and the quality of life. Methods: One hundred and thirty-five subjects participated in this study and responded to an online survey on stress from the social distancing in COVID-19, computer and smartphone usages, musculoskeletal pain, and quality of life. The stress from social distancing was assessed by a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The Neck Disability Index (NDI), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) were provided to assess the musculoskeletal pain, and Short Form-36 (SF-36) was provided to assess the quality of life. Frequency analysis, descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and independent t-test were used for data analysis. Results: Statistically significant, but low positive correlation stress from the social distancing (VAS) and NDI (r=0.19, p<0.05) and ODI (r=0.18, p<0.05), and negative correlation between stress from the social distancing (VAS) and SF-36 (r=-0.17, p<0.05). The NDI score was significantly greater in the group with high stress than in the group with low stress from social distancing (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study is meaningful in that it evaluated, through the physical therapy approaches, the potential side-effects on physical and mental health in various social changes caused by COVID-19. The results of this study may be used as basic data in future studies related to COVID-19.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.275-283
• /
• 2020

Background: In the absence of a vaccine or treatment, the most pragmatic strategies against an infectious disease pandemic are extensive early detection testing and social distancing. This study aimed to summarize public and workplace responses to Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) and show how the Korean system has operated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: Daily briefings from the Korean Center for Disease Control and the Central Disaster Management Headquarters were assembled from January 20 to May 15, 2020. Results: By May 15, 2020, 11,018 COVID-19 cases were identified, of which 15.7% occurred in workplaces such as health-care facilities, call centers, sports clubs, coin karaoke, and nightlife destinations. When the first confirmed case was diagnosed, the Korean Center for Disease Control and Central Disaster Management Headquarters responded quickly, emphasizing early detection with numerous tests and a social distancing policy. This slowed the spread of infection without intensive containment, shut down, or mitigation interventions. After entering the public health blue alert level, a business continuity plan was distributed. After entering the orange level, the Ministry of Employment and Labor developed workplace guidelines for COVID-19 consisting of social distancing, flexible working schedules, early identification of workers with suspected infections, and disinfection of workplaces. Owing to the intensive workplace social distancing policy, workplaces remained safe with only small sporadic group infections. Conclusion: The workplace social distancing policy with timely implementation of specific guidelines was a key to preventing a large outbreak of COVID-19 in Korean workplaces. However, sporadic incidents of COVID-19 are still ongoing, and risk assessment in vulnerable workplaces should be continued.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.217-236
• /
• 2021

The present study examined the mediating role of the subjective norm about social distancing in the relationship between individuals' collectivistic orientation and their social distancing behavior during the early COVID-19 crisis in Korea. A total of 445 South Korean adults residing in Korea participated in a survey during which level 2 to 2.5 prevention policies were being enforced. Results indicated, as expected, that collectivism positively predicted the perceptions of subjective norm that supports social distancing, which in turn predicted positively individuals' participation in social distancing as prescribed by the central government. This result emerged regardless of the individuals' perception of personal vulnerability to COVID-19. We discuss implications of these findings and directions for future research regarding the link between individualism-collectivism and the behavioral immune system, along with the role of social distancing in effectively curbing the spread of corona virus during the pandemic.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.513-518
• /
• 2022

In the past two years, all sectors of society have been underdeveloped and suffered a significant damage due to COVID-19. In particular, people who were working in many areas of research were unable to do anything due to restrictions on meetings with people and social distancing. The purpose of this study is to develop a social distancing device that allows users to maintain the distance in accordance with the government guidelines through an analysis of people's social distancing methods in the COVID-19 society through UX Design. In order to develop the social distancing device, the distance is expressed by changing the color of LED based on research related to UI design such as ultrasonic distance sensor, battery, charging method, distance display method, etc. The outer form of the social distancing device is designed using 3D, the device is developed by installing ultrasonic distance sensor, neo-pixel module and Arduino after printing a prototype using a 3D printer, and this device is tested to develop a final product that helps the social distancing practice amid COVID-19.

• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.167-175
• /
• 2020

Purpose: This study aims to understand the effect of attitudes toward COVID-19, subjective norms, and intentions toward social distancing as a preventative measure for COVID-19 in nursing university students, and to provide basic data for COVID-19 prevention. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used in this study. The participants included 169 nursing students at a university in G city. Data were collected from 22 May 2020 to 1 June 2020. A self-report questionnaire was used. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analyses with the IBM/SPSS 26.0 for Window Program. Results: Intention was the most influential factor on social distancing (β=.29, p=.002), followed by the number of breakfasts per week (β=.18, p=.005), school grade (β=-.16, p<.001), and smoking status (β=-.13, p=.046). These variables explained 35.0% of factors influencing social distancing (F=12.24, p<.001). Conclusion: The results of this study are meaningful and present a direction for nursing students and future medical personnel to effectively perform social distancing. It is necessary to educate nursing students so that they can practice proper health care habits and intentions for social distancing.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.189-200
• /
• 2021

Purpose: We aimed to provide effective emergency medical services (EMS) response strategies for coping with high acuity patients during the pandemic by analyzing the influence of the COVID-19 and social distancing on EMS. Methods: In this retrospective observational study, we analyzed the distribution of high acuity patients transported by Daejeon 1-1-9 EMS during the COVID-19 pandemic period, between February 1, 2020 and October 31, 2020 and the same period in 2019, as well as the level 3 social distancing enforced period, between July 27, 2020 and October 31, 2020. Results: The EMS dispatches decreased by 17% during the observed COVID-19 pandemic period compared to the same period in 2019. The number of cases with cardiac arrest and positive prehospital stroke scale rose by (p<.001). Patients with cardiac arrest, trauma, and positive prehospital stroke scale increased by during the level 3 social distancing period. Conclusion: Unlike the decreased EMS call volume and patient transports during the COVID-19 pandemic, cardiac arrest cases and the severity of high acuity patients tended to increase. We suggest that EMS systems should contrive a response strategy considering the collateral effect of major epidemics on the incidence rate of high acuity patients.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
• /
• v.37 no.6_1
• /
• pp.1647-1656
• /
• 2021

In order to reduce the spread of infection due to COVID-19, South Korea has established a four-step social distancing standard and implemented it by changing the steps based on the rate of confirmed cases. The implementation of social distancing brought about a change in the amount of activity of citizens by limiting social contact such as movement and gathering of people. One of the data that can intuitively confirm this is Night Time Light (NTL). NTL is a variable that can measure the size of the national economy measured using lights captured by satellites, and can be used to understand people's social activities during the night. The NTL visible data is obtained via the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Day-Night Band (DNB) onboard the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (S-NPP) satellite. 1023 of Suomi data from 1 January 2019 until 26 October 2021 were collected to generate time series of NTL radiance change over Seoul to analyze the correlation with social distancing policy. The results show that implementing the level of social distancing generally decreased the NTL radiance both in spatial disparities and temporal patterns. The higher level of policy, limiting human activities combined with the low number of people who have been vaccinated and the closure of various facilities. Because of social distancing, the differences in human activities affected the nighttime light during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in Seoul, South Korea. Therefore, this study can be used as a reference for the government in evaluating and improving policies related to efforts reducing the transmission of COVID-19.