How Taiwan overcame it's face mask shortage | Coronavirus Update

Countries around the world are reporting shortages of protective equipment such as face masks - for medical staff and for ordinary cititzens. But one country that's avoided this problem is Taiwan. So how did they do it - and could their approach be emulated by others?

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[endi]

I respect Taiwan and Taiwanese. When I was there, i took their train and i was amazed by the social etiquette people observed. They queue properly and were very organised despite the rush hour. I'm from Singapore and even we don't observe proper queueing at MRT. We have a lot to learn from Taiwan. Keep up with the high standard of social etiquette.

[kimyang]

I am a foreigner living in Taiwan, the HUGE efforts Taiwan government had prepared in early January and February was insane and it had scared many foreigners. We felt scared, many foreigners left Taiwan and went back home to the USA and Europe. Some stayed in Taiwan. Right now, I would say Taiwan is pretty safe. Business and schools are open, the only difference than the life before is obviously people are wearing mask. It was odd at the beginning, but now everyone is used to it.
The efforts Taiwan government has been doing is way too much to compose.
It started from reducing misinformation and educating citizens safety guides on TV channels over and over again, to teaching kindergarten kids about safety through plays and dances.
My wishes and prayers go, not to any particular country, but to every one in world. Stay safe!

[losangels]

Dear Taiwan,
Thank you for being a good model for mask distribution. From South Korea .

[trekkienzl]

Taiwan donated 10 million face masks for countries worst hit by COVID-19, with 2 million going towards the United States.


God Bless Taiwan.

[James-mwzv]

Taiwan not part of WHO and the role model for the world says a lot about WHO

[wayeasylife]

Taiwanese here. To be accurate, it's only US$0.16 for one surgical mask for Taiwanese citizens. 13 millions of mask production per day at the moment.

[matthewok]

Korea explicitly copied Taiwan's mask-rationing, and now has a stable mask distribution system where all citizens are guaranteed a minimum number of masks per week, unlike before when companies were exporting huge amounts of masks to China, engaging in price-gouging, and hoarding. Thank you Taiwan for being a role model for the Asia-Pacific and the civilized world.

[NotAllHeroesWearCapes-]

The difference a good leadership can make!

[getrehkt]

Im moving to Taiwan. At Least they are trying to be safe and protect each other.

[MichaelPolios]

And all without the "help" of WHO...

[yalingwai]

Even though WHO blocks Taiwan, Taiwan never forgets its role as global citizen. Taiwan can help, Taiwan is helping! 🇹🇼

[AuroraBorealisxxx]

I'm Taiwanese and let me answer the question she kind of missed regarding if wearing masks is something people have done to themselves. Yes, it is.
At the beginning, around the end of January and February, the government encouraged us to not wear masks outdoors and situations where 1.5 meter social distance can be maintained, so that we can save masks for health professionals who desperately needed them. Production was not as high back then, so the government tapped into our emergency masks supply mainly for those professionals, and only the few ones left were for the public to buy. However, as many families in Taiwan already have the habit of having masks at home in case of flu, flu prevention, air pollution, pollen, etc, many still had them in hand, they decided to wear them regardless of government recommendations. (Mind you the government already saved the majority for health professionals, so we weren't putting them in danger, they're just discouraging people from asking for more masks when we have a shortage).
My mother was one of those who had masks already. She started buying masks as early as December and January, not only for the potential virus, but also in preparation for flu season. Thanks to her, we have quite a bit of masks for the family since the beginning, even before high production allowed everybody to buy masks weekly. We wear masks when we know we will be going into stores, definitely when we're going on public transport, and don't wear them if we're just going for a walk outside, despite the government saying that it's not necessary, and we only had like 30 cases at the time. We also avoided going to crowded places like the cinema and bars. Most people I know are like me. We took the whole situation very seriously from the beginning. It was always "better be safe than sorry".

[katemakeup]

Wow, Taiwan was really smart! Cancelled export and flights from china in january... they are familiar with the CCP tricks and knew how to avoid them

[binsky]

This is the reason why I love Taiwan, government is very transparent with its people.

[anilmagar]

Seriously I have been to so many countries, currently residing in the au, but Taiwan is different from the rest. Best among the rest of the countries. I'm missing you Taiwan.

[frogcute]

Now Taiwan is donating masks to medical works in other countries. If medical workers are protected, they can save more people. So proud of TAIWAN.

[groupraitodigital]

Let's acknowledge Taiwan as a country already. Stop the China BS.

[robertos]

Not only did Taiwan ramp up the production of masks, hand sanitizers, alcohol, Remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine, and P3 protective suits, Taiwan also ramped up the production of all the raw material and components and machinery needed to increase their production. Thus, Taiwan can and has been shipping melt-blown nonwoven fabric together with their mask machines to over ten countries. THis is made possible by the authorities keeping the local contagion cases to only double digits.

[harrydaf]

I have always been in love with this country and glad that they have successfully kept the virus under control since the beginning. Stay safe! 👍 From S.Korea.

[onegrapefruitlover]

Taiwan is slowly becoming my favorite country.
Love their tea, love their non-simplified writing, love their history and now it seems like they have a respectable and rational government.
🇹🇼💙