Thread by @sperformance

Taiwan has recorded very few #COVID19 deaths and infections since the pandemic started. Same time, many European countries, like UK are reporting high number of infections, with serious consequences to the social life and healthcare system. Lets see what makes Taiwan different #1

The island sits just 130 km off the coast of mainland China and shuttles thousands of passengers to and from the China daily. Even so, they managed to keep infections low and avoid major, repeatable lockdowns. Many factors have contributed to this winning strategy #2

Protect their own economy. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, is by far the world’s largest chip manufacturer. It’s also the sixth most valuable company in the world with a market over $600 billion, and supplies chips to Apple, Intel, and Nvidia. #3

The right organization and expert team Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) #4

Central Epidemic Command Center The CECC has policy-making authority on a range of issues including surveillance, border control, quarantine, and resource allocation. During public health crises, relevant departments of the executive branch are stationed in the center. #5

The CECC is led by experts who provide guidance on disease prevention measures. The center has public hot lines, where residents can call in and ask questions related to the virus. It also alerts the public to false rumours on the coronavirus that may be circulating on media. #6

All actions are part of Taiwan’s emergency epidemic response plan, which it devised after the 2003 SARS outbreak in China. Under Taiwan’s Communicable Disease Control Act, in the event of a crisis, officials can activate the plan, giving the government the right powers #7

Next, the most important element to fight against the virus is Taiwan’s deliberate, systematic use of its digital health infrastructure. #8

Taiwan has integrated the national health insurance database with its immigration and customs database. This enabled the government to track the 14-day travel histories and symptoms of its citizens. All hospitals, clinics and pharmacies were given access to this data #9

Immediate actions. Act early. #10

Taiwan restricted entry for foreign travelers from the most affected regions, and for those allowed entry, officials tracked them with mobile technologies. Foreign visitors are asked to scan a QR code that takes them to an online health declaration form for additional data #11

People placed under quarantine were given government-issued mobile phones and monitored with calls and visits. #12

To manage resources, Taiwanese officials used IT to estimate the region’s supply of masks, and other health provisions. They set price limits on masks and rationed them using individuals’ health cards and an online ordering mechanism. #13

Penalties for noncompliance with the temporary orders are steep. Profiteering off prevention products like masks, or spreading false information about COVID-19 can bring a penalty of years in jail and fines over a hundred thousand US dollars. #14

So this is Taiwan. Not only masks, but a lot of expertise from previous 2003 SARS outbreak, the right team and logistics in place and the correct data to check. In Europe we dont have such things. We must learn. #15