Denise Kuo ’21 reports on the history, government strategies, and current issues regarding the COVID-19 in Taiwan. Photo courtesy of Denise Kuo ’21
From Where I Sit is an ongoing column associated with the ESOL program that aims to share the stories and experiences of international students.
Where are you currently, and what have you been doing during the social distancing period?
I am a junior from Kaohsiung, Taiwan studying Asian Studies and Economics at Hamilton College. Since the end of the fall semester, I have been back home in Taiwan. This semester, I was supposed to study abroad in Tokyo, Japan; however, due to the COVID-19 situation in Asia, the program was delayed and eventually suspended. During my time home, I did a winter internship at an accounting firm because my planned study abroad program ends in early August, which means I will lose a summer internship opportunity. These days, I have been going on cafe runs, hanging out with my friends, and indulging in way more hours of Animal Crossing New Horizon than I would have liked to admit.
Brunch at Acne Breakfast Club in Taipei. Photo courtesy of Denise Kuo ’21
When was the start of the COVID-19 for Taiwan?
Taiwan’s first case was confirmed on January 21st from a businessman returning from Wuhan. Within a few days, the government restricted flights to Hubei, a ban which they quickly extended to all Chinese provinces. As the war on COVID-19 continues, it is now the norm to turn on the news and watch Chen Shih-Jung, the Minister of Health and Welfare, make his daily brief regarding the current situation and changes to the response strategy.
What are the Taiwanese government’s strategies in dealing with the pandemic?
Prior to March 18th, Taiwan has maintained the number of COVID-19 cases right below one hundred cases — quite significant in comparison to their East Asian neighbors like Japan and Korea.
On the day that the government declared war against COVID-19, the island went instantly into a mobilization mode. The government seized control over all surgical face mask production and quickly implemented a national face mask purchasing quota and distribution system. They also put in laws to prohibit the spread of false information regarding the virus. Nearly everyone started wearing masks in public spaces the next day, although it was not legally required. Within a month, temperature screenings and automatic hand sanitizer dispensers were placed at entrances of malls, restaurants, shops, the metro, apartments and even banks.
Getting a booster shot to increase the immune system during the pandemic. Photo courtesy of Denise Kuo ’21
What made Taiwan thrive throughout this crucial period was the country’s quick action, access to real-time news, government transparency, and affordable healthcare. Although there are certain criteria that you must meet to get subsidized testing for COVID-19, once you qualify, the total cost is the same as a hospital appointment, which is a flat rate of roughly five to fifteen U.S. dollars. The government’s decision to include COVID-19 tests as part of the healthcare plan encourages citizens to seek medical care, as opposed to allowing an unknowing human viral incubator to freely roam and infect others in the country, unable to afford testing.
What issues has Taiwan been struggling with?
For the past few months, Taiwan has proven the success of its response regarding COVID-19 to the world; however, the island’s own navy may just be the chink in Taiwan’s armor.
On March 17th, Taiwan began enforcing a strict fourteen-day home quarantine for those entering the island. Upon entry, individuals must go home via a private vehicle or a special quarantine taxi; however, Taiwan’s navy did not follow this rule. After docking on April 6th from their goodwill mission in Palau, navy sailors were instructed to remain on board for six days for quarantine before disembarking to roam freely in public. Shortly within three days, twenty-four crew members tested positive for the virus. This caused major backlash from the citizens as they criticized the government for lax enforcement of regulations towards navy sailors.
A view of Kaohsiung’s 85 Sky Tower. Photo courtesy of Denise Kuo ’21
The government has used mobile GPS data to monitor and trace possible places that the navy sailors may have visited and the people they were in contact with. They placed the hundreds of close contacts into quarantine, tested them for COVID-10, and closely monitored them. Taiwan’s Center For Disease Control released a map of public places that infected sailors had visited. Immediately, those public spaces, such as malls, announced a temporary two-day closure to thoroughly disinfect their premises. As of now, the vast majority of emerging new cases are navy sailors; however, if there is an increase in non-navy sailor COVID-19 cases within the next two weeks, Taiwan may be at risk of community-level cluster infections. In the most recent update from May 3, Taiwan has experienced seven days of no new cases within the past eight days.
