동유럽국가들의 코로나 바이러스 감염증-19에 대한 대응과 방역체계 : 슬로바키아, 불가리아, 폴란드 사례를 중심으로

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the response to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and quarantine systems in Eastern European countries and try to find out why Eastern Europe was less suffered compared to Western Europe. As Europe became the hub for global spread, the number of confirmed cases and deaths began to increase rapidly in Western Europe. Thus, the majority believed Eastern Europe would be vulnerable to the virus for several reasons: less advanced medical systems; and the healthcare brain drain ever since joining the European Union (EU). However, the Eastern European countries have succeeded in spread control with less damage. This study analyzed cases in Slovakia, Bulgaria, and Poland, which established a preemptive and rapid quarantine system. The countries took preemptive actions because of the inferior medical environment and the insufficient number of medical staff, which could lead to the collapse of the medical system. The government's rapid and strict border controls, the majority of people wearing masks, and the cooperation with state control due to the influence of socialist culture are analyzed to be factors that responded well to the pandemic.