Taiwan appears to have avoided a large spike in COVID-19 cases following the nine-day Lunar New Year holiday. However, experts have different opinions as to whether Taiwan has the potential to coexist with the virus in the long run.
Long train journeys during COVID can be a pain, with no eating or drinking allowed on board. But what if Taiwan has the potential to live with the virus? Would people be allowed to tuck into a meal, like this passenger on the right?
Different experts have different views on the matter. Several scientific studies suggest the incubation period of the Omicron variant of COVID is two to three days shorter than the Alpha variant. The infection period has also dropped by nearly 10 days. Most people infected with Omicron either have mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. Therefore, Dr. Chen Hsiu-hsi, an expert in public health, is optimistic about shortening the days required for quarantine and for Taiwan to live with the virus.
But taking into account Taiwan’s size and population density, Dr. Huang Kao-pin, a specialist in infectious diseases, thinks that Taiwan still has a long way to go. Huang says Taiwan’s economy relies heavily on international trade. He says once a virus enters the country, the chances of the virus spreading is very high.
For now, it seems health authorities are happy to watch and wait. But with more and more countries relaxing COVID restrictions, Taiwan could decide to follow suit.