A group of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislators have donated 2,300 protective medical gowns to Osaka, Japan, to aid in its efforts to contain COVID-19, DPP Legislator Kuo Kuo-wen (郭國文) said yesterday.
The gowns were airfreighted on Monday and should be received by the Osaka government in the next two days, Kuo, head of an East Asia parliamentary friendship group, told a news conference in Taipei that was also attended by Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Deputy Representative Nishiumi Shigehiro.
Demand in Taiwan for such gowns has been limited, as this nation has not had a community-level outbreak of the virus, while Osaka is in urgent need of them, Kuo said.
Photo: CNA
DPP Legislator Chou Chun-mi (周春米) said Taiwan has achieved a lot in its fight against COVID-19, and is willing to lend a helping hand to others.
The lawmakers also linked the donation to the government’s desire for Taiwan to become a member of the WHO.
Japan has expressed public support for Taiwan to participate in the WHO, which is why he supported sending the gowns to Japan to help deepen relations, DPP Legislator Huang Kuo-shu (黃國書) said.
Shigehiro thanked the group for their assistance, and expressed gratitude on behalf of the Japanese government for the donation.
Japan has reported 13,614 cases and 385 deaths. A total of 1,521 cases of those have been in Osaka, which has had 29 deaths.
In related news, in an opinion piece published in two Philippine newspapers on Monday, Representative to the Philippines Michael Hsu (徐佩勇) said Taiwan provides a model for successfully controlling COVID-19 without a lockdown, as his host nation prepares for a phased reopening of its economy this week.
In the piece published in the Philippine Star and Malaya Business Insight, Hsu detailed the public health and economic challenges the pandemic has posed to the international community, noting that Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte opted for a policy of “enhanced community quarantine” for Luzon that began on March 16 and is due to end tomorrow.
Hsu explained how the Central Epidemic Command Center was established after the SARS outbreak in 2003 to better coordinate the government’s response across departments.
Activating the center on Jan. 20 helped to quickly implement disease prevention measures, mobilize resources, trace contacts and monitor the outbreak using big data analysis, Hsu said.
Other significant factors have been the center’s daily news conferences and the nation’s healthcare system, he wrote.
He also reiterated the government’s call for Taiwan to be admitted into the WHO: “Let bayanihan spirit shine and include Taiwan in the WHO to achieve ‘Health for All,’” Hsu wrote, using a Philippine word for “cooperative undertaking.”
Typhoon Saudel has shown signs of weakening but is still expected to affect Taiwan when it comes closest to the nation on Friday, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said today. The radius of Saudel shrank to about 220km as of 8am today from 250km a day earlier, and its maximum sustained winds were down to 155kph from 184kph previously, the weather agency said. As of 8am, Typhoon Saudel was 980km east of Taipei, moving west-northwest at 18kph, it said. Under the influence of a Pacific high pressure system, the storm is moving northward, meaning it is less likely to make landfall in Taiwan,
Minister of Sports Lee Yang (李洋) today said the Chinese Taipei Basketball Association (CTBA) has been urged not to undermine Taiwan’s credibility in international competitions, after a Taiwanese team advanced to the semi-finals of the 45th William Jones Cup over the Philippines last week due to a controversial new rule guaranteeing a semi-final place to the host team. The Republic of China Blue team advanced to the semi-finals after winning just one game in the group round due to a “host guarantee” spot, overtaking the Philippines, who held a 5-1 record ahead of the semi-finals. The Blue team finished the tournament
A sea warning for Typhoon Saudel, which has shifted to a more northerly track as it nears Taiwan, is expected early tomorrow, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said today. As of this morning, Saudel was about 650km east-northeast of Taipei, moving west-northwest at 12kph with maximum sustained winds of 162kph, CWA data showed. Although Saudel remains a moderate typhoon, it has weakened and is expected to weaken further as it nears Taiwan due to unfavorable atmospheric and ocean conditions, CWA forecaster Lin Po-tung (林伯東) said. The storm is forecast to make its closest approach to Taiwan tomorrow and on Friday, Lin added. According to
SEA WARNING EXPECTED: As atmospheric conditions are unfavorable for its development, the storm’s intensity is continuing to weaken, a CWA official said Typhoon Saudel is continuing to weaken and shift its path northward, with a sea warning expected to be issued this evening, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday. The agency did not rule out issuing a land warning for outlying Lienchiang County (Matsu) tomorrow morning, although all storm warnings could be lifted by Friday night. Saudel is expected to be closest to Taiwan from tomorrow night to Friday, bringing localized heavy rain to northern and southern Taiwan, as well as central mountainous areas, the agency said. As of 2pm yesterday, the center of moderate Typhoon Saudel was about 890km east-northeast
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