Annyeonghaseyo, I’m Dr. Joong Sik Eom, infectious diseases physician and professor at the Gacheon University College of Medicine in Incheon, South Korea. I also serve as a member of the national “COVID-19 Response Academic Advisory Council” that advises the South Korean government’s ongoing rapid-response efforts. The idea for the drive-through testing sites came from our group.

At the Gil Medical Center where I practice, we are treating severe COVID-19 cases. I have a few patients under my direct care in their 70s to 90s and recently sent someone home after a full recovery.

Starting at 10am EST, I’ll do my best to answer your questions about COVID-19 in Korea, perhaps on: the public-private response, the healthcare burden, testing coordination, technology, public messaging, medical treatments, cultural factors, facemasks, and the road ahead. I am pleased to have language translation support today from student scientists Ms. Chaerin Yim and Ms. Yunha Jo.

In COVID-19, humanity now faces a common enemy. We will defeat it faster if we can work together as global citizens, reaching across boundaries to offer knowledge and support. My hope is that our experience here in Korea could be somehow useful to you all. AMA.

EDIT: It's now 1am and I've got to call it a night and get some sleep. Thank you so much for your great questions and interest. I wish all of you great health! Gamsahamnida.

-- Dr. Eom