Buckle Up and
#FlattenTheCurve!
- WORDS
- VANESSA LEE
2 minute read
In the battle against COVID-19, creativity wins. Progress, and indeed the survival of humanity depend on quick thinking and embracing unexpected solutions.
Coronavirus first struck the South Korean population at the end of January but made a turn for the worst at the beginning of February by producing a large number of cases in a matter of weeks. But thanks to an unexpected solution, things made a change for the better. From as early as mid-February, South Korea developed the first ‘drive-through’ testing system and swiftly implemented them throughout the country.
By nature, the car has always been a private and isolated sanctuary for many, which has proven to be the perfect waiting room for residents waiting to get tested without the risk of infecting others. Additionally, by getting a test from the drive-through site, it eliminates the stress and stigma one might feel when visiting a busy hospital while providing physical and emotional comfort while waiting in one's car.
Drive through in South Korea
Roadside testing was first introduced by the local governments in Seoul, but due to its success, it is now being carried out in different countries throughout the world. Particularly in the US, Canada, Germany, and Australia. Now, you can find drive-through testing sites in most public places such as outside medical centers, parking lots, and even outside churches.
When the pandemic first hit, testing in a quick and timely matter proved to be a challenge. But with the help of this unconventional solution, partnered with the efforts of mask-wearing citizens to maintain social distancing measures, it turned the tide and proved effective in slowing the spread and preventing a further spike in coronavirus cases.
With testing proving to be the most effective means of stopping the spread of the virus around the world, doctors are looking for new ways to get people tested safely and quickly. Cue the unexpected hero in this battle: the automobile.
The virus has invited all of us to radically change our habits and how we see the world. And now it’s even forced us to reimagine what a car can be, overnight. In addition to being a symbol of the freedom of movement, the car now can help protect another kind of freedom - the freedom that comes from good health. Hyundai Motor Company believes that progress for humanity is always possible, even in the most difficult times. All it takes is a willingness to think outside the box. Or in this case, thinking outside the car.