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.
Eight restaurants in Taiwan yesterday secured a one-star rating from the Michelin Guide Taiwan for the first time, while three one-star restaurants from last year’s edition were promoted to two stars. Forty-three restaurants were awarded one star this year, including 34 in Taipei, five in Taichung and four in Kaohsiung. Hosu (好嶼), Chuan Ya (川雅), Sushi Kajin (鮨嘉仁), aMaze (心宴), La Vie by Thomas Buhner, Yuan Yi (元一) and Frassi in Taipei and Front House (方蒔) in Kaohsiung received a one-star rating for the first time. Hosu is known for innovative Taiwanese dishes, while Chuan Ya serves Sichuan cuisine and aMaze specializes
Taitung County is to launch charter flights to Malaysia at the end of this year, after setting up flights to Vietnam and Thailand, the Taitung County Government said yesterday. The new charter flight services, provided by low-cost carrier Batik Air Malaysia, would be part of five-day tour packages for visits to Taitung County or Malaysia. The Batik Air charter flight, with about 200 seats, would take Malaysian tourists to Taitung on Dec. 30 and then at 12:35pm return to Kuala Lumpur with Taiwanese tourists. Another charter flight would bring the Taiwanese home on Jan. 3 next year, arriving at 5:30pm, before taking the
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