Dr. Kuo's Column

Bloomberg has recently released the latest epidemic prevention results of various countries. I thought Taiwan should not be ranked badly because of its zero domestic growth and excellent economic performance in the past few days. Bloomberg has been releasing monthly global epidemic prevention rankings since November last year, and Taiwan was once ranked 2nd, but its overall ranking was only 31st a year later.

Even a country like North Korea, which is perceived to be extremely closed, has more than 20 countries with embassies in Pyongyang.

While people in general value honesty and trust in making friends, the considerations of countries in making friends are more complicated, but basically, the principle of equality and reciprocity and the creation of a win-win situation is still intact. After the outbreak of the epidemic early last year, Taiwan quickly formed a national team of masks, and once there was surplus domestic demand, Taiwan can help was actively launched to support countries in need.

Taiwan’s domestic market is limited, and in order to develop, we need to make more friends and expand international space; showing goodwill to new friends is the best way to let more people know Taiwan.

As the New Coronary Pneumonia (COVID-19) outbreak progresses, the supply of masks is no longer an issue; for most advanced countries, the refusal of some people to receive the vaccine is more problematic than the lack of vaccine. As countries unblock the vaccine, the number of infected people is rising again, which means the demand for therapeutic drugs has increased dramatically.

Even though some advanced countries with high rates of two or even three doses of the vaccine are being unblocked, the number of confirmed cases continues to rise. With the rapid mutation of the virus, most experts believe that vaccination will not prevent infection, but will provide greater protection and reduce the chance of severe illness and death. A review of the last three months of the epidemic shows a 20% increase in the number of infections and 15% increase in the number of deaths worldwide, which is consistent with expert opinion.

From this, we can map out a new path from masks to vaccines to therapeutic drugs that Taiwan can help. Now that the mass production of domestic vaccines and the arrival of imported vaccines are sufficient, we should plan a blueprint for vaccine diplomacy as soon as possible.

Taking a step forward, the number of confirmed cases worldwide has increased dramatically, and there is an urgent need for therapeutic drugs; Taiwan has developed an effective Chinese medicine compound for Wuchang pneumonia, Qingguan No. 1, which can be prepared as a strong stick for drug therapy diplomacy.

When Taiwan has the ability to give back to the international community with vaccines and medicines, even though we only have 15 official diplomatic countries, we will be able to make friends with most countries around the world; when new friends get to know us and old friends get to know us better, Taiwanese businessmen will be able to travel all over the world without hindrance.

The epidemic prevention ranking mentioned earlier also makes us re-examine Taiwan’s epidemic prevention strategy. As we have said before, Taiwan’s epidemic prevention measures are not wrong, and even very good; however, just as the academic test is not a comparison of single scores, but a comprehensive evaluation, high scores in academic subjects but almost abandoned other items will not bring the total score up. The current dynasty and the public are focused on the zero new cases and the number of vaccine arrivals in the local community, but the normal operation of the livelihood economy is trapped.

Recently, the global mortality rate of the epidemic has been maintained at 2% or less, while the number of confirmed deaths in Taiwan in the past three months is only about ten, but the mortality rate of the epidemic is still as high as 5%. Perhaps the health condition and living habits of the public will be the focus of future anti-epidemic policies.

Strategic management is about adapting to the times and the situation, and it is not uncommon for winners to become losers if they fail to keep up with the times. At the beginning of the epidemic, it is correct to close the door to prevent the epidemic and preserve our own medical energy. When the world is gradually unblocked and only a few totalitarian countries are still striving for zero and strict border control, we need to think carefully and develop a strategy to fight the epidemic that is more in line with the mainstream international trend.

The government is now pushing hard to open up the import policy for American pigs, but it is blocking international business travelers, professionals and foreign migrant workers from outside the country. The contrast between the two reveals a hint of absurdity and sadness.

Source: This Week Magazine https://www.businesstoday.com.tw/author/release/7332