Lost in a dilemma

By Lee Eung-tae

The media and the public all are focused on the presidential election now which is just several weeks away. Having volunteered for the Fair Election Agency, I needed two weeks' prior instruction to be conducted indoors. Yesterday, while absorbed in studying the Fair Election Aid program with 20 other volunteers, I got a call from a local health clinic, saying that I needed to go and get the COVID-19 test.

I was told that one of the members of the health club where I regularly work out was confirmed to be positive, so I should get tested as soon as possible. I was stunned by this sudden news. I was ashamed. If the necessary test showed that I was infected, I would put all 20 Fair Election Aid volunteers at risk. As we were stuck in the stuffy, insufficiently ventilated room for more than eight hours without even an air purifier, we were, arguably at an increased chance of infection.

Even though we have to keep wearing masks while in the office, it is nearly impossible not to expose our mouths and noses even for a short time, and just seven seconds of exposure to the virus is enough to contract the Omicron strain.

After being tested, I immediately made my way home feeling guilty. But, I asked myself, was I wrong to use the health club in this situation? If so, where could I go to stay healthy during the cold season? Who could go to restaurants, theaters, health clubs, cafes, and other commercial areas without risking infection?

For now, owners of small businesses and stores are burdened with huge debts and are on the brink of collapse. If those owners are the only breadwinners in their family, and if they are overcome by debt, all their family members will sooner or later end up in miserable circumstances. It is crystal clear to us all that if this dire situation continues much longer, more and more business owners will be hopelessly mired in debt.

As the more contagious Omicron virus has become dominant, our government is warning us to stay away from public gatherings, keep social distancing and to continue to wear masks. Suddenly, it was as if I were stuck at a crossroads not knowing which direction to take.

In its last days, this government is more concerned to avoid blame rather than to implement measures to save our people, so the policies concerned with preventive measures against the pandemic always seem to be one step behind. Even worse, all the measures aimed at helping those financially in need seem exhausted, which means a more stagnant business environment. As the index of our domestic stock market plunges daily, many individual investors who borrowed money from banks are now unavoidably miserable credit delinquents.

Despite this confused situation, most presidential candidates are more focused on pushing unrealistic programs they hope will persuade people to vote for them. In our present critical situation, we voters should be most prudent in looking for a president who can address our situation. We shouldn't be seduced by negative and fake news nor allow disingenuous promises to obscure our proper insights. Let's pray for an honest leader, someone we can trust and respect, and who can lead us out of this crisis and restore a smile to all our faces.

Lee Eung-tae (eungtae@gmail.com) is a former high school teacher who taught English for 35 years.