In the wake of Typhoon Morakot, the A(H1N1) influenza has begun to spread and cause widespread concern.
Former health minister Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁) predicts that 30 percent of the population in Taiwan will be infected. Having participated in the prevention of SARS in 2002, former Centers for Disease Control (CDC) director-general Su Ih-jen (蘇益仁) said 5,000 to 10,000 people could die. Su proposed putting off the year-end mayoral and county commissioner elections to prevent the flu from spreading.
Despite the fact that many middle schools have suspended classes and that flu vaccines in hospitals are insufficient to meet demand, the government has shown little interest in suggestions from experts.
Premier Liu Chao-shiuan (劉兆玄) suggested in a recent disaster control meeting that military personnel, volunteers and residents in disaster zones wear masks while relief efforts continue.
However, it is puzzling that President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) chose not to call a national security meeting of legislators from across party lines to initiate national security mechanisms. Instead, he met disease control experts to discuss measures to fight swine flu.
Ma said the reason for not calling a national security meeting was that H1N1 is still under control.
The question of preventing and controlling swine flu will require the best of health expertise.
It is ignorant of Ma to say H1N1 was under control and worrying that he assumes this attitude toward a disease that could threaten the lives of thousands of people.
The Cabinet should not dismiss the warnings and suggestions of experts as “alarmist.”
The victims of Morakot in central, southern and eastern Taiwan are living in bacteria-infested environments. Hundreds of soldiers and volunteers have contracted H1N1 and skin diseases. The government seems to be taking the same slack attitude toward the influenza as it did toward Morakot.
Although the typhoon caused tremendous losses, Ma delayed holding a high-level meeting until it was clear that several hundred people had died.
What are the chances, therefore, that Ma would call a national security meeting when “only” a few people have died of swine flu?
The standard for calling a national security meeting should not be the number of people who have died in a crisis. Ma seems unaware that threats against national security include everything from military invasion to unconventional threats. Natural disasters and plague may cause more loss of life than war. A foreign invasion could possibly be averted through talks, but natural disasters and diseases don’t sit down to negotiate.
The purpose of calling a national security meeting is to assess the risk of an epidemic.
The government should connect public healthcare systems at all levels to build a comprehensive disease control system.
It is important for the government to use all channels of communication, including schools and enterprises, to inform the public about how to avoid H1N1.
The government should inform the public how to seek medical attention if they contract H1N1 and how those who may be infected with the disease should isolate themselves.
These measures may seem tedious but are necessary.
If a national security meeting is not called, calls on the public to work together to prevent swine flu from spreading will only be empty talk.
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