As the nation is confronted by the challenge of containing further outbreaks of severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, legislators with medical backgrounds yesterday offered the advice that frequently washing one's hands is the best protection against the disease.
"Washing hands is the best prevention to avoid contracting the SARS virus. The measure is even more important than wearing gauze masks since medical experts found that SARS was not an airborne epidemic," said Legislator Peter Lin (
Lin, who holds a masters degree in epidemiology, advised that compared to a gauze mask, wearing gloves would better protect a healthy body against contracting the disease indirectly.
"Indirect transmission usually affects healthy people when they touch the virus in SARS patients' bodily fluids left in public places. Therefore, wearing gloves should be the best protection when it comes to cutting the risk of contracting SARS," he explained.
Lin, in addition, called on the government to see that the all-out prevention measures against the mysterious epidemic as a chance to enhance the nation's public hygiene education.
"The numerous SARS reports by local media endeavored to update the latest developments of the infection. Few of them have done a good job of teaching the public on how to protect themselves from being infected, as well as giving instructions on the fundamental measures for halting the disease's spread," he argued.
PFP Legislator Kao Ming-chien (
Instead of wearing the gauze masks, Kao said, intensified washing of hands, feet and the mouth should be emphasized.
The washing will protect frail eyes and the nasal cavity in case a healthy person touched the SARS virus left by infected persons on handrails or chairs at public places, he explained.
Wearing a gauze mask is advised for an all-out prevention effort when healthy citizens approach areas where cases of infection have been confirmed, he added.
Kao advised citizens to avoid unneeded visits to public places, especially those with poor ventilation, while suspected cases of the disease continues to rise.
"Crowded public places without good ventilation could be danger areas for spreading SARS. In this case, it is advisable to avoid these places when the nation is facing the threat of further outbreaks," Kao said.
The former medical director said that the chances of catching the disease at the Legislative Yuan would likely be much lower than the chances in an air-conditioned compound or business building.
DPP Legislator Chen Chi-mai (
"Prevention measures need to achieve a balance between warning against spreading of the disease and engendering emotional fears.
"The mass infection at Hoping Hospital revealed that the administration had not successfully contained the epidemic situation.
"The protest staged by the hospital staff exposed the problem that the legal regulation relating to epidemic prevention must be reinforced for the sake of attaining control," Chen said.
Former president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Monday called for greater cooperation between Taiwan, Lithuania and the EU to counter threats to information security, including attacks on undersea cables and other critical infrastructure. In a speech at Vilnius University in the Lithuanian capital, Tsai highlighted recent incidents in which vital undersea cables — essential for cross-border data transmission — were severed in the Taiwan Strait and the Baltic Sea over the past year. Taiwanese authorities suspect Chinese sabotage in the incidents near Taiwan’s waters, while EU leaders have said Russia is the likely culprit behind similar breaches in the Baltic. “Taiwan and our European
The Taipei District Court sentenced babysitters Liu Tsai-hsuan (劉彩萱) and Liu Jou-lin (劉若琳) to life and 18 years in prison respectively today for causing the death of a one-year-old boy in December 2023. The Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office said that Liu Tsai-hsuan was entrusted with the care of a one-year-old boy, nicknamed Kai Kai (剴剴), in August 2023 by the Child Welfare League Foundation. From Sept. 1 to Dec. 23 that year, she and her sister Liu Jou-lin allegedly committed acts of abuse against the boy, who was rushed to the hospital with severe injuries on Dec. 24, 2023, but did not
LIKE-MINDED COUNTRIES: Despite the threats from outside, Taiwan and Lithuania thrived and developed their economies, former president Tsai Ing-wen said Former president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Saturday thanked Lithuania for its support of Taiwan, saying that both countries are united as partners in defending democracy. Speaking at a reception organized by the Lithuania-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group welcoming her on her first visit to the Baltic state, Tsai said that while she was president from 2016 to last year, many Lithuanian “friends” visited Taiwan. “And I told myself I have to be here. I am very happy that I am here, a wonderful country and wonderful people,” Tsai said. Taiwan and Lithuania are in similar situations as both are neighbors to authoritarian countries, she
Former president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) is to visit the UK during her ongoing European trip, which originally included only Lithuania and Denmark, her office said today. Tsai departed Taiwan for Europe on Friday night, with planned stops in Lithuania and Denmark, marking her second visit to the continent since her two-term presidency ended in May last year. Her office issued a statement today saying that Tsai would also visit the UK "for a few days," during which she is to meet with UK politicians and Taiwanese professionals, and visit academic and research institutions. Following Tsai's stop in Denmark, she is to visit the