An Emerging Storm: Then vs. Now 

The fact that patients have experienced similar symptoms to SARS has brought forth memories of a painful experience that disease caused in 2003. With 346 people infected, 37 deaths in Taiwan and a disastrous lockdown of Taipei Municipal Heping Hospital, the eerie familiarity of this new virus was unwelcomed to say the least. 

(Source: Kuo-Tai Liu)

Concern, tension and alertness of a lurking global public health crisis loomed over Taipei City as we were anticipating more than 800,000 Taiwanese citizens residing in China, the origin of the virus and epicenter at the time, to travel back for Lunar New Year. This presented an enormous challenge to our society as we began planning methods to safely receive our citizens. As the situation escalated, hysteria soon followed. The public was fighting over masks, alcohol and toilet paper, a trend that repeated across the world, the latter for less apparent reasons. 

However, as the epidemic prevention measures increased and the rationing of masks began, the mutual sense of crisis among the citizens were channeled into the spirit of unity and compliance with the health authorities. The people looked to our government as their commander and were ready to take on orders to fight through this emerging storm together. 

(Source: Kuo-Tai Liu)

As people gathered to celebrate Lunar New Year holidays, investigation and discussions continued within the walls of Taipei City Government. The city's Emergency Operation Center dived headfirst into this battle to protect the health of the citizens, without any idea of how this virus was about to take the world by storm all the way into 2021.

Our struggle against SARS equipped the government with knowledge and experience which was then directed into Taipei's epidemic prevention operations.

For the past 17 years, Taipei's health authorities have dedicated their efforts to build up our immunity against another outbreak of infectious diseases. 

As a doctor with 26 years of experience, Mayor Ko knew what had to be done to effectively increase the crisis management and mobilization capacity of Taipei's healthcare systems. Up first is our increased numbers of negative-pressure wards, which eliminates the risk of transmission between hospitalized individuals in hospitals by partitioning patients and effectively preventing our biggest weakness when combating SARS from reoccurring. Secondly, hospitals across the city have been consistently stock-piling crucial medical equipment.

Finally, all healthcare personnel undergo routine training and drills to become adaptable and equipped at handling any sudden outbreak. Taipei City knows that it cannot take another hit like SARS, and that is why we are loading up our arsenal and preparing our officers to fight back when the time comes. 

The Balance Act: A Tradeoff Between Politics and Health

Fast forward to the end of January, the Taiwan Center for Disease Control (CDC) announced six major decisions to go into effect immediately. The six decisions were designed to limit the risk of the virus entering Taiwan, in the form of prohibiting entry for all citizens of Hubei Province, where COVID-19 originated from, and the delayed entry for those Chinese citizens outside of Hubei that have previously already acquired entry permits. As the situation deteriorated in China at the beginning of February, Chinese travelers who were located in regions listed in category 2 or above are now prohibited from entering Taiwan.

All incoming passengers with travel history in Mainland China, Macau and Hong Kong were required to undergo home quarantine. 

(Source: Chien-Tong Wang)

In mid-March, the Central Government announced the first-ever lockdown, with only Taiwanese citizens and permanent residents allowed to enter the country. The battle has begun, and it was at this moment, Taipei became completely isolated from the outside world. Now's the time to consider how we are to survive against this approaching epidemic when skepticism around the virus itself was rampant among world leaders. 

The entry restrictions delivered a serious hit to Taipei's economy and relationship with other countries. As the world began doubting our ability to contain the virus, our connections distanced themselves from us in an effort to protect themselves.

Being the capital city of Taiwan, a strategy to uplift and protect the city was imperative to our future global development. 

However, Taipei had more worrisome issues to consider domestically. The difference in party affiliation between the Central Government and Taipei City Government was predicted to cause grave obstacles in communication and coordination for the measures for epidemic prevention. 

Yet, throughout this period, Mayor Ko has consistently upheld his principles of bipartisanship, administrative neutrality and positioning the welfare of citizens at the heart of his policies. He understood that bipartisanship was merely the first step, the real challenge ahead was to formulate a comprehensive epidemic prevention policy that is responsive to the ever-changing circumstances and could eliminate any possible breach of the system. 

Considerations on whether these incoming policies will affect the morale of the public, reinforce emotional distress of separated families and impact the foreseeable recession looming over the economy were also factored in. As the commanding officer, he must also anticipate the length of this battle and whether Taipei's medical facilities were up for the challenge. 

The first glimmer of hope appeared when Taipei successfully secured our base against the first wave of infections. The preparation had paid off, though we knew we were in this for the long haul, we also had a dedicated team that were committed to protecting the people of Taipei. It was in that moment we realized the early, preventative and ongoing action became our best weapon against COVID-19. 

A Beam of Hope: Communication, Connection & Stability

Looking back in time, the Taiwan CDC directed an email on December 31st, 2019, to alert the World Health Organization (WHO) of the coronavirus infection. Despite our warnings, COVID-19 remained a ghost in the shadow. Their carelessness was a sign that Taipei was once again on its own, and we will need to fend for ourselves. 

COVID-19 has taken the world by storm and ravaged every corner of the globe. Every existing society is fighting to be the first to adjust to the new normal in hopes to come out on top as the new world order is being established. The blurring digital borders meant that tools for communications are shaping our new frontiers. For Taipei City, this medium was our epidemic prevention SOPs. The 9 documents are a symbol of the blood, sweat and tears shed in the past few grueling months. They are detailed records of our city's guidelines that we distributed as a token of goodwill and more importantly, a tool to bring hope and support to our partners. 

In every war, strategy is the key to defeating the enemy, and ours are the 5 overarching epidemic prevention strategies devised by our commanding officer, Mayor Ko. Taipei's systems of internal control, second line of defense, economic revitalization, avoidance of excessive mobilization and experience sharing were communicated with sister cities across the world. 

As swiftly as the virus spread, we retaliated with the equally rapid expansion of our network, as 34 cities in 15 countries responded in appreciation of our solidarity. Our plan of attack is evidence of how Taipei went from one of the most vulnerable and predicted hotspots for virus transmission to a base that has successfully barricaded itself against the pandemic. Throughout this pandemic, Taipei has proved time and time again that our city has the will and the aptitude to shoulder the responsibilities of shielding the citizens of the world. 

(Source: Wen-Je Ko, Amber Flynn & Ivory Chang)

They say you've got to strike the iron while it's hot, and we are riding the successes of our SOP distribution all the way to video conferences: pandemic edition. These digitally facilitated forums are the new hot tickets, with only selective strategic partners with key resources granted entrance to their tight-knit circle. However, the point of Noah's Ark is that no one is left behind. Our strategic plan has unceasingly focused on the value of inclusivity and experience sharing. 

With this in mind, we hosted the Smart Cities Mayors’ Summit, gathering 20 mayors and representatives from 17 different countries. Each city discussed how technology and smart governance could be used to manage infections. Nonetheless, Taipei knows that it’s not enough to just talk the talk, but to walk the walk as well. When friends are in need, Taipei is always willing to lend a helping hand, and just like that, 100,800 masks to Prague and 100,000 masks and other PPEs to San Francisco. Communication has united our cities and drove us to walk towards the light at the end of the tunnel together. 

(Source: Wen-Je Ko, Amber Flynn & Ivory Chang)

Defeating an unrelenting enemy demands an impenetrable alliance between Taipei and international cities. Taipei City's victory thus far has granted us the precious space to assess our post-pandemic tactic. It is time to look within the walls of our capital to find our unique upper hand. 

(Source: Wen-Je Ko, Amber Flynn & Ivory Chang)

Taipei Friendship Tour (北誼之旅) has blasted open the doors between Taipei City Government and different foreign missions. To forge a tenacious coalition, Mayor Ko mobilized the departments to compile a collection of our city’s highlights for potential collaborations with our overseas partners. Travelling all across the city, we visited over 13 of our neighbors far and wide, including the American Institute in Taiwan and the European Office, and successfully negotiated deals of mutual benefit for our citizens. 

In the midst of forming new friendships, we welcomed our staunch supporter and longtime friend, Mayor Zdeněk Hřib of Prague, to Taipei in September. Our joint fight against this pandemic has only united us to stand firmer in our pledge to uphold each other in action. Once again, Taipei and Prague were able to join forces and demonstrate that external factors cannot dissuade us from continuing our numerous exchanges.  

Beyond the threat to our safety, COVID-19 has forced us to shift our attention away from the beauties of life.

While we dedicate our efforts to epidemic prevention, appreciation for essences of our humanity like art, history and culture have been forgotten due to continuous headlines of tragic loss and distress. For Mexico, coronavirus has deprived their opportunity of commemorating their loved ones during their traditional Day of the Dead parade.

As one of the few COVID-free cities in the world, we knew Taipei had the capacity to bring this event to life in the City Hall. This is why Taipei is proud to team up with the Mexican Office and invest our efforts to present this celebration in its usual glory. In a time when the flames of human connection are slowly extinguishing, Taipei will be the torch bearer and light up the world in these dark times. 

Like the eye of the storm, Taipei's efforts have granted its citizens relative stability and normality. Our citizens are locked and loaded at all times with masks and sanitizers. Mayor Ko's stringent health practices have become part of the city's daily routine. Beyond instilling a sense of security to the people of Taipei, our new normal delivers a message of hope and a glimpse of the future to cities around the world. 

War has a tendency to pull families apart and this pandemic is not different. People from all over the world have found their home in Taipei, and we have done our rightful duty to shield them against COVID-19. When Mayor Ko caught word of foreign passengers in desperate need for a safe place to quarantine, Taipei City established the first ever quarantine hotel in the world. As a member of the Taipei family, our foreign friends have taken it upon themselves to be Taipei's Hermes and spread the word regarding our effective yet compassionate policies to their home country. In Taipei, no one is left behind, and we firmly believe that our success thus far is pivotal in bringing a sense of hope and solidarity to our partners all over the world. 

An Unfinished Battle: The Talisman for the Road Ahead 

For many of us, a pandemic of this scale was unforeseeable and belongs in an unchartered territory. The high infection rate signifies that the virus has likely mutated over 10,000 times, and variants of the disease will differ around all regions of the world. Therefore, global partnership and cooperation is the key weapon to defeating this virus. For the past few months, the people of Taipei have been proud of our achievements, but it is also time to be more vigilant as we approach winter. The battle against COVID-19 persists as we enter into 2021 and remains ever so unpredictable. 

Despite our successes over the virus thus far, the people of Taipei remain vulnerable as we have yet to develop an immunity against the disease. As developments for vaccines are coming to an end and the possibility of border openings are seemingly increasing, the relationships we have built during this crisis will no doubt reach a greater height. Our pragmatism has served us well in the past, but now, we will need the backing of our friends around the world as we reach post-pandemic recovery planning. 

(Source: Twitter@MOFA_Taiwan)

Throughout this year, Taipei has consistently proved itself as an indispensable partner on the issue of public health to the rest of the world. This pandemic has demonstrated that in a time of need, Taipei is the world's trustworthy and reliable partner in all aspects. The solidarity and support of the world is integral to Taipei's post-pandemic developments. Taipei has shined a light of hope onto the world during this difficult time, and the moment has come for the world to band together and bring us out of the shadows.

Phoenix Rising: The Legacy of Our Generation

This pandemic is, undoubtedly, one of the greatest and most unforeseeable challenges of our time. At the same token, it has highlighted the significance of communication, connection and stability to humanity. For history will remember how we fought this war-like pandemic and worked together to protect humanity. Taipei is proud to have been an ally during this battle against COVID-19, and we will continue to stand with our partners across the globe in times of adversity and prosperity. Taipei has been a vehicle of strength and an instrument of hope this year, and we will continue embracing the world as you embrace us in return. 

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Have you read?

♦ How Taiwan's COVID Battle is Different
♦ Taiwan’s Impressive Response to COVID-19: A Personal View
♦ The Pandemic is a Reminder We Should Learn to Do Better with Less

Uploaded by Penny Chiang