In the beginning, in early 2020, our family, friends and my husband’s headquarter were worried about us. Staying in Asia, close to mainland China, the origin of the virus, we seemed to be in danger of being at the epicenter of the epidemic. They sent over good wishes and face masks. At that time, nobody had in mind that this would develop to a pandemic, nobody thought of considering that this can come close to them and create a worldwide health crisis and an economic downturn. At least, nobody in Europe or in the United States.

Traveling during homeschooling, always with a face mask: a little trip to the south in February 2020. (Source: Ilka Wild)

In Taiwan, they did. We were sitting here in Taipei after Chinese New Year finding ourselves with mask rationing measures, temperature checks in buildings, distance rules, and homeschooling. They called it a containment strategy but it worked well as a virus eliminating strategy. And still works. 

People line up for temperature checks in February 2020 in TaipeiPics. (Source: Ilka Wild) 

In the beginning, we found it a little exaggerated. Who knew if this virus is dangerous at all, if it really can be transmitted from human to human, if it can even cross the border. The Taiwan official’s motto, on the contrary, seemed to be: Better safe than sorry. And, so far, they were right. 

Now, we are the ones who worry about our family, friends, and companies back home. It is very hard to see them struggle, to hear about disturbing discussions about sense and nonsense of Covid measures. It is a fact that it is too late for the Taiwanese way over there: to keep the virus out of the country completely. Taiwan is for now the winner of the game. Countries that did better are very hard to find in the world. We do enjoy our freedom in daily life, we can go to work and the kids can go to school. 

Never seen before: an empty Taoyuan Airport. Picture was taken in summer 2020. (Source: Ilka Wild)

However, we are suffering not being able to travel or to welcome friends and families for long announced visits. Of course, we know that border closures and quarantine measures are key to success right now. But we are worried about how this continues. When will the travel restrictions be lifted? Will the Taiwanese officials be over cautious and don’t allow travels longer than it is essential? We can hold on for a little while, but there will be a day when we miss our home and our families too much. And, I know, many Taiwanese friends have relatives residing worldwide, how long can they suffer, too?

I think we have to be thankful that we were here during this crisis. And we have to hope that there will be a way out of the pandemic. Of course, the good news about the vaccine is promising, but we still have to wait. 

Let’s hope that there is a way out of this worldwide crisis soon, but with caution, of course. But we hope for it as soon as possible. 

About the author：

Born in Thuringia, East Germany behind the Iron Curtain, Ilka started her professional life in the GDR with vocational education in dressmaking. After German reunification, she switched to different fields until she followed her passion for language, communication, and different cultures: after an M.A. degree in Linguistics from a German University, she went to Taiwan to work with a public radio station as a reporter and program host, then a Ph.D. in Linguistics in 2018 in Germany. Back in Taiwan after graduation, she is currently working as a program host for Radio Taiwan International and teaching as a Professor at the German department at Fu Jen University Taipei. 

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