Japan has not yet recorded many infections with the emerging coronavirus (Covid 19), compared to other developed countries. It appears that Japanese culture may be behind the relatively slow pace of the epidemic. In this country known for a known commitment to wear masks, to make simple touches while greeting, and to avoid hugging or shaking hands, in addition to not wearing shoes inside the house, the cleanliness of toilets and public restaurants, clean water and fresh air; all of this and others may explain the mystery of the low number of people with Corona "in Japan.
Likewise, a popular blog about Japan's "Coved 19" strategy points to hand washing and wearing masks, as well as not shaking hands and hugs, as possible causes for this condition. In a series of recent tweets on Twitter, cellular biologist Hironori Funabiki cited masks, lack of public transportation, few religious gatherings, and lack of food contact with hands as weapons in Japan's disease-fighting arsenal.
Several commentators from outside the country pointed to the widespread use of masks in Japan and other Asian countries, which appear to have had more success in controlling the spread of the coronavirus.
Despite ongoing WHO advice that healthy individuals do not need to wear masks, many experts in the United States now recommend considering the widespread use of masks, based on data that shows their effectiveness in preventing inhalation of airborne droplets, which may carry the virus and the fact that Many people with Covid 19 have no symptoms.
While masks may be really beneficial, and overall hygiene in Japan is definitely something to admire, it is still difficult to know whether these alone are responsible for the low numbers of the virus in Japan. An infectious disease specialist at the University of Kobe, Kentaro-Iwata, rejects the culture-based approach when it comes to discovering the new coronavirus.
"I don't think you can assign traits based on culture," he says, "continuing," regardless of culture, if there is no caution, we will get a large spread quickly. "
Theories of Japanese exclusion can indeed be "dangerous" if they generate a sense of complacency, or even indifference, which causes people to relax from social estrangement, paving the way for a mutation in infection.