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  • This is why the United States and the world needs to pay attention to Taiwan. Hey everyone.

  • So recently I've been feeling a bit tired and down.

  • Especially after everyday hearing so much negative news about people getting sick. And with all of this fear and negativity

  • I think a lot of people feel the same way. And really it's no wonder that everyone feels so worried.

  • But this week I want to try and do something a little different, and take all of this bad news and

  • Turn it into something a bit more constructive.

  • Because I think a lot of the world can learn a few things from the way that Taiwan has been handling this public health crisis.

  • While the rest of the world seems to be confused and panicked

  • People in Taiwan have remained relatively calm rational and informed.

  • This along with the fast and aggressive response by the Taiwanese government, and healthcare system

  • Has led Taiwan to be one of the best prepared countries affected so far.

  • And I really think the United States and the rest of the world should pay attention to Taiwan,

  • Especially to the things that they've done right so far. The best evidence of this is by looking at Taiwan's situation today,

  • Especially when compared to other countries in the region.

  • Taiwan is a country less than 200 kilometers away from Mainland China.

  • Not to mention the two have very close economic and travel links. Yet compared to similar East Asian countries,

  • Taiwan has managed to contain the outbreak on an unprecedented level.

  • Whereas places like mainland China have seen over 80 thousand cases, and in other countries like Japan reporting over a thousand. And in South Korea the

  • Number is quickly increasing and approaching 8,000 total cases.

  • This all the while, Taiwan has seen less than 50 total cases and only one reported death. Yet despite

  • All of this Taiwan's response has been overlooked by other countries, and what's more is still not included in The W.H.O.

  • Despite having one of the best health care responses of any country in the region.

  • Meanwhile, countries thousands of miles away in Europe the Middle East, and for me closer to home in North America,

  • Are seeing the virus spread rapidly and this is causing people to panic.

  • This is especially worrying to me because my family is all still living in the United States ,where things are getting worse everyday.

  • And of course, I worry about their health and well-being more

  • than anything else. That's why I really hope people pay attention to this video and learn from what Taiwan has done

  • So well in order to stay safe and healthy.

  • So what exactly is Taiwan doing right and what can other countries like the United States learn from Taiwan?

  • Well, let's first look at what steps Taiwan took early on in the outbreak.

  • During the early stages Taiwan cut off all direct flights from affected regions like China, and has issued a mandatory

  • 14-day quarantine for all people returning from affected countries.

  • More importantly people who break this quarantine are fined upwards of thirty thousand US dollars. This not only limits the inflow of people from affected

  • Countries but also isolates people at risk, and more importantly penalizes people who do not comply.

  • Meanwhile, the United States has also implemented a quarantine,

  • While people there continue to attend public events and ignore the advice of public health officials.

  • This is what's helping the virus spread faster day-by-day.

  • Aside from this, Taiwan was also quick to act by closing all public schools and universities early on as well as canceling major public events.

  • Its actions like these that led to Taiwan's success so far.

  • The next thing that Taiwan has done extremely well as its implementation of rigorous public health screenings.

  • This means temperature checks before entering places, like hospitals, government buildings, tourist landmarks, schools, and universities.

  • Many people in the US and other countries might see this as a violation of personal freedom,

  • But I can attest to the importance of measures like these.

  • People like myself and every other person in Taiwan has had to go through temperature checks almost daily while traveling outside.

  • But these few extra minutes or even seconds each day have seemed to work.

  • This, accompanied by mandatory hand sanitation in these public places,

  • Has also helped to catch early cases as well as improve public sanitation. Another big problem in other countries like the US

  • Is the prevalence of panic buying for things like face masks and hand sanitizer.

  • Recently, while on the phone with my mom

  • She told me that all supermarkets and pharmacies are sold out and people have begun to panic buy everything in the store.

  • This is also an area in which Taiwan has intervened by putting buying limits on sanitation products, and has

  • even implemented a rationing system based on your national ID number to ensure that all people have equal access, and

  • A fair chance to buy the things that they need. Taiwan has also put in steep fines on reselling and price gouging,

  • Another big problem in the US right now.

  • Taiwan is an example of how responsible policies and actions by the government can prevent panic, increase fairness, and improve public health.

  • The final thing that I want has done remarkably

  • Well is the free flow of information and transparency between the government news agencies and health services.

  • This is in contrast to countries like China and Thailand where misinformation

  • Censorship and delayed reporting's have made things even worse.

  • Even in places like the United States

  • Mistrust in the government or in local media institutions is making the problem more difficult to control.

  • Taiwan on the other hand has been extremely proactive in communicating up-to-date information and

  • Aggressively pushing public health education. This includes health and safety announcements on public transit,

  • TV, radio, and in public areas. This includes important sanitation information like proper hand-washing,

  • Appropriate mask usage and even a special public health hotline. All in all, these steps have been effective. Again,

  • Just look at these numbers.

  • Considering its situation and location, Taiwan has been able to handle the virus like no other country in the world.

  • It's an example of how the open flow of information,

  • Effective quarantine procedures, broad screenings in public places, and public sanitation education can help to contain the virus.

  • This is all while allowing people to continue their everyday lives with minimal impact.

  • As someone who is living here and experiencing life day to day,

  • I can only applaud Taiwan in the responsible and organized way that it has handled things thus far. For all the governments and nations

  • Affected by the virus, I urge you to take a close look at Taiwan and use Taiwan as an example.

  • And remember that #Taiwancanhelp. As for myself, I feel extremely grateful to be living in Taiwan.

  • There's really no other place in the world I'd rather be at a time like this. Like everyone,

  • I hope that this issue is resolved as soon as possible

  • And that we can all stay safe and healthy over the following weeks and months.

  • For everyone watching take care, stay safe and be healthy.

This is why the United States and the world needs to pay attention to Taiwan. Hey everyone.

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