Ongoing controversies on COVID-19 protocols at KISJ after the government's announcement about “living with COVID-19.”

Modification of the COVID-19 protocols is one of the controversial topics that is discussed among the members of KISJ (Korea International School, Jeju) community. Along with the government’s announcement of modified COVID-19 protocols, “living with COVID-19,” many students, especially seniors, have argued that KISJ also needs to modify impractical and unfair protocols to the students.

However, not everyone in our community advocates for the modification. Many of our students and teachers also argue that we need to maintain the current level of COVID-19 protocols to ensure the safety of our community members. This article includes three interviews with members of KISJ community, which represents ongoing controversies regarding modification of the protocols.

Ongoing discussions on COVID-19 protocols are essential to not only members of KISJ community, including students, teachers, and faculty members, but also to every individual living in GEC (Global Education City). Because schools play a fundamental role in GEC, policies of schools affect other people living in this area too, such as business owners, parents, and workers.

Moreover, at the end of October, KCDA (Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency) announced detailed guidelines for modified COVID-19 protocols called “living with COVID-19,” which includes extended business hours, loosening restrictions on gathering, and introduction of vaccine pass. Therefore, this is an appropriate time to share various opinions about modification and prepare for the “living with COVID-19” at KISJ and GEC.

“I think some KISJ COVID-19 protocols should change, but I agree with most of them,” Brave Ryu (G12) from KISJ, said, “What I think that should be changed is, for example, the acrylic board at the cafeteria. Even though it is intended to prevent the spread of the COVID-19, it is meaningless if we seat each other side by side. I think the school is not thinking about this issue, so I think they will remove the acrylic board or add another one to the side of the seat.”

Brave Ryu’s suggestion as a senior student, who has years of experience in KISJ, helps readers to reveal their insights toward this topic. Moreover, Brave Ryu’s quote represents advocating opinions for modification of COVID-19 protocols at KISJ, which is the major public opinion of our student body. Many of our students argue that the number of students and teachers have been vaccinated, and there are some unfair protocols to students, such as restrictions on the deli. Furthermore, unlike before, numbers of positive cases are not the main factor of the decision of levels of social distancing anymore.

There would be several different viewpoints towards Brave’s quote and his opinion. As explained above, many students would advocate for the modification of the protocols. In the perspective of people who advocate for loosening restrictions, it is legitimate to argue that situations have been changed due to the government’s new social distancing policy, and it is pointless to count positive cases of COVID-19 obsessively. However, there would be people who were against this modification, such as people who worried about safety issues at KISJ.

Mr. Boyer, who works as an HS librarian and 9th-grade Biology teacher, said, “I don’t think we need to modify protocols much, and we should not lose them. I don’t think we need to strengthen or loosen them, but we need to remind ourselves this is what we are doing and why we are doing it, which is to keep people safe.” Mr. Boyer’s thoughts on modification allow readers to recognize the potential side effects of modification, which could be detrimental to the safety of our community.

Although there are many different opinions regarding the modification of protocols, it is a clear fact that there would be some changes along with the changed social distancing policies of the government. As Mr. Wilkins said, it would be possible to have a modification of protocols, especially regarding the gathering of the people at KISJ. He said, “we hope that we could invite people from outside, such as inviting at least parents to the graduation ceremony.”

Yet, Brave Ryu, who experienced both lives before and after COVID-19 (G12), proposed one possible solution that is mutually beneficial. “I didn’t receive any emails asking students’ opinions or suggestions about COVID-19 protocols. Even though I think that we can express our opinions regarding COVID-19 protocols to Ms. O’bryon or Mr. Wilkins, I think it would be better if students have more access to express their opinions using Google forms.”

Ultimately, it is inevitable to modify current protocols as the situation changes. Although it is true that numerous factors would cause issues such as new variants, we are back on the track to maintain our normal life before the outbreak of COVID-19. Regardless of the changes within COVID-19 protocols, it seems that active discussion about COVID-19 protocols is necessary for ongoing situations.

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