Abstract
Korea initiated a new experiment, called a dynamic response system for open democratic societies as a principle to respond to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The global pandemic of COVID-19 led to a surge in demand for healthcare medical masks and respirators, and strained the global supply chain of mask production and distribution systems. This study provides a systemic view of critical personal protective equipment for both healthcare staff and the public to stop the spread of COVID-19. This study investigates the dynamic response system of healthcare mask production to the coronavirus and discusses lessons learned in view of systems thinking. The study shows that it is critical to developing a quick and dynamic response system to the evolving market conditions with flexible and agile operations. Visibility with transparency with information sharing with the public is also critical under global pandemic. Due to the shortage of mask supply, smart consumption is required along with collaboration with public and private sectors, as well as global organizations. Democratic leadership and a well-prepared strategic plan for long-term period are essential to the open society to prepare the global pandemic in the future. This study serves as a benchmark for dynamic and timely responses to the global pandemic.
Highlights
The first novel coronavirus (COVID-19) case was reported in South Korea on 20 January 2020.The Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) was ready to fight the new pandemic with lessons learned from the painful experience of failing to respond to the 2015 MERS (MiddleEast Respiratory Syndrome) outbreak
This study investigated how Korea responded to the challenging expansion of facemask production
The study found that transparency, openness, and cooperation are essential to get through these challenging times
Summary
The first novel coronavirus (COVID-19) case was reported in South Korea on 20 January 2020. Community-based transmission is possible [9,10] This has led to a surge in demand for healthcare, medical, and respiratory masks. The market size of masks from meeting demand, and put a strain on the social systems. The resilience system characterizes as adaptive capacity addresses a systems’ capability to dynamically extend capacity on the surge of mask demands to counter the global pandemic [14]. The Task Force determined specific fair distribution and supply expansion measures, in order to address the difficulties of supply of raw materials appealed by manufacturers This was done while balancing demand and supply by simultaneously promoting cooperation and collaboration, and controlling mask demand in the market, from 6 March 2020 onwards.
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