202004

亞太 商報

Asian Pacific Business Journal 2020 April Issue

Issue Number 0128

1548 W. Alameda Avenue, Suite D, Denver, CO 80223| Tel: 303-733-8888, 303-722-8268, Fax: 303-722-7861| cochnews@gmail.com President Donald Trump Becomes Republican Party’s 2020 Presumptive Nominee

WASHINGTON — Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel released the following statement after President Trump secured enough delegates to once again become the Republican Party’s presumptive nominee for president: “Nobody motivates our base more than President Trump, as evidenced by the historic turnout we’ve seen in state after state this primary season,” said Chairwoman McDaniel. “Fueled by both our longtime supporters and the thousands of new voters that continue to join our movement, we are united and enthusiasm is on our side. We have the strongest record of success, an unparalleled grassroots infrastructure, and are thrilled to have President Trump as our Party’s presumptive nominee once again.”

President Donald Trump clinches the Republican nomination:https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=1O07XmVkH1s&feature=youtu.be

RNC Statement on Democrat Debate

WASHINGTON — Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel released the following statement on the Democrat debate: “Last night (March 16), Americans saw two career politicians who are two sides of the same coin.

When they weren’t bickering, they were both touting their support for the same radical agenda, like a government takeover of health care, taxpayer funding for abortion, and sanctuary city policies.

“President Trump is working around the clock and taking decisive, aggressive action to prioritize the health and safety of the American people. It is because of this strong leadership that President Trump, not whichever socialist the Democrats eventually nominate, will win re-election in November.”

RNC Statement on Chinese Government’s Dishonesty Campaign

Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel addressed the Chinese government’s dishonesty campaign in the below statement: “President Trump has been working tirelessly to respond to and mitigate this unprecedented situation and he continues to deliver the bold leadership needed in this crisis. As he has repeatedly said, we are going to beat this virus, but it is going to take all of us doing our part. That includes honestly reporting the origins of this virus, free of bias or baseless opinion, so we can best understand it and beat it.

“The American people aren’t looking for the usual bias and politicking during this challenging time. We are looking for guidance, facts and hope. The Chinese government is doing their best to wage a dis-

honesty campaign; they don’t need any more help from members of the media. We support the people of China and we are grateful for our own Chinese American neighbors and friends, especially Asian Pacific American doctors, nurses and medical professionals for their selfless services and sacrifices to combat the virus on the frontlines – any indication otherwise would be meant only to tear us apart at a time when the American people desperately need us to work together.”

For factual reporting about the origins of the virus: Axios: Timeline: The early days of China’s coronavirus outbreak and cover-up The Atlantic: China Is Avoiding Blame by Trolling the World https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp. theatlantic.com/amp/article/608332/ For the latest guidelines, please visit cdc.gov or coronavirus.gov

RNC Chairman Statement Upon Signing of Relief Bill for Americans

Washington, D.C. – Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel released the following statement after President Donald Trump signed the CARES Act into law: “From the outset, President Trump vowed to devote the full resources of the federal government towards protecting the American people and helping our country weather the economic storm imposed by the coronavirus, and today he is once again doing just that.

“This bipartisan relief package, a direct product of President Trump’s leadership, will bring help to where it is most desperately needed- hospitals and healthcare workers on the frontline of the fight, small businesses struggling to stay open, and millions of families all across America who are adjusting to this unprecedented situation.

“While many Democrats and members of the media continue to try to politicize the pandemic, President Trump continues to lead and put the American people first. I am grateful for our president, his team, and the Members of Congress who resisted petty politics and worked to get the American people this much needed relief.”

America’s lifeline #PaycheckProtectionProgram

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and right now they desperately need help to save their establishments. President Trump’s Pay Check Protection Program will support small businesses to help them survive and help their employees pay their bills through this difficult time.” Dr. Marina Tse, Director APA Media President Trump is aggressively confronting coronavirus on multiple fronts: not only to protect the health of Americans, but their economic wellbeing too.

That’s why President Trump and Congressional Republicans secured the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to inject $350 billion into America’s great small businesses.

Starting today, this program, through the Small Business Administration, will: • Provide 8 weeks of cash-flow assistance to small businesses who maintain their payroll during the

coronavirus crisis.

• Small businesses can take out a forgivable loan: If the employer maintains its payroll and this money is used for paying rent or salaries, then the loan will be forgiven.

• The loan is also retroactive. Workers who have already been laid off can be brought back onto payrolls.

• Small businesses can find these details as well as apply at sba.gov/coronavirus.

Reminder: Since President Trump was elected, he has always fought for the American worker. Now with an unprecedented global crisis affecting every single American, President Trump’s administration has provided a much needed lifeline.

Bottom Line: President Trump and Republicans are committed to making sure small businesses and their workers, the backbone of America, are able to get back up and running once the economy reopens, putting our country in the strongest possible position to come back stronger than ever.

President Trump Is Providing Relief for Workers Impacted by The Coronavirus

The Trump Administration’s CARES Act Provides Relief for Workers and Support for Small Businesses So They Can Keep Americans Employed During This Crisis.

The Facts: THE CARES ACT IS PROVIDING RELIEF TO SMALL BUSINESSES AND HELPING THEM KEEP WORKERS ON THE JOB DURING THIS CRISIS. • The Paycheck Protection Program provides loans to businesses to cover costs and includes strong incentives to keep paying their workers.

• As part of the CARES Act, businesses are eligible for up to $10 million in loans and, to encourage businesses to keep workers on the job, the loans will be forgiven if the recipient maintains payroll at pre-crisis levels.

• The CARES Act also includes a payroll tax credit of up to $5,000 per worker for businesses who do not receive a loan from the Paycheck Protection Program.

• The CARES Act expanded eligibility for the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program which can provide as much as $2 million of financial support to small businesses and private non-profit organizations.

• Additionally, the law provides $10 billion for the program to quickly provide businesses with $10,000 “advance” grants that will not have to be repaid should the businesses spend the money appropriately.

• The CARES Act also allows businesses to free up cash to cover payroll and other expenses by deferring some payroll taxes this year.

THE CARES ACT PROVIDES RELIEF FOR WORKERS WHO HAVE LOST THEIR JOBS BECAUSE OF THE CRISIS • The CARES Act supplements state unemployment benefits with an additional $600 a week, which more than doubles the weekly maximum unemployment benefits in most states.

• The federal expansion also provides 13 “extra” weeks of benefits meaning that, in total, workers can qualify for up to 39 weeks of (Continued to Page 2)

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Asian Pacific Business Journal

(Continued from Page 1) unemployment benefits during the public health crisis.

• The law also ensured that all Americans out of work due to the coronavirus qualify for benefits including those whose workplace closed, those who were forced to quit their job, and those who were supposed to start a job but could not because of the virus.

• Americans are also eligible for benefits if they are unable to work or are working reduced hours as a result of the coronavirus including those who have symptoms, are quarantined or are caring for someone who has the disease.

• Americans who are self-employed (including gig and contract workers), work part-time or who normally wouldn’t qualify for unemployment benefits because they lack sufficient work history can also receive benefits.

White House Guidelines for ‘Opening Up America Again’ President Trump has unveiled Guidelines for Opening Up America Again, a three-phased approach based on the advice of public health experts. These steps will help state and local officials when reopening their economies, getting people back to work, and continuing to protect American lives.

GUIDELINES FOR ALL PHASES Individuals Continue to adhere to State and local guidance as well as complementary CDC guidance, particularly with respect to face coverings.

Continue to practice good hygiene: • Wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer, especially after touching frequently used items or surfaces.

• Avoid touching your face.

• Sneeze or cough into a tissue, or the inside of your elbow.

• Disinfect frequently used items and surfaces as much as possible.

• Strongly consider using face coverings while in public, and particularly when using mass transit.

People who feel sick should stay home: • Do not go to work or school.

• Contact and follow the advice of your medical provider.

Employers • Develop and implement appropriate policies, in accordance with Federal, State, and local regulations and guidance, and informed by industry best practices, regarding: • Social distancing and protective equipment • Temperature checks • Sanitation • Use and disinfection of common and high-traffic areas • Business travel Monitor workforce for indicative symptoms.

Do not allow symptomatic people to physically return to work until cleared by a medical provider.

Develop and implement policies and procedures for workforce contact tracing following employee COVID+ test.

Proposed State or Regional Gating Criteria • SYMPTOMS Downward trajectory of influenza-like illnesses (ILI) reported within a 14-day period and downward trajectory of covid-like syndromic cases reported within a 14-day period

• CASES Downward trajectory of documented cases within a 14-day period OR downward trajectory of positive tests as a percent of total tests within a 14day period (flat or increasing volume of tests) • HOSPITALS Treat all patients without crisis care and robust testing program in place for at-risk healthcare workers, including emerging antibody testing State and local officials may need to tailor the application of these criteria to local circumstances (e.g., metropolitan areas that have suffered severe COVID outbreaks, rural and suburban areas where outbreaks have not occurred or have been mild).

Additionally, where appropriate, Governors should work on a regional basis to satisfy these criteria and to progress through the phases outlined below.

Phase One (For States and Regions that satisfy the gating criteria) INDIVIDUALS All vulnerable individuals should continue to shelter in place. Members of households with vulnerable residents should be aware that by returning to work or other environments where distancing is not practical, they could carry the virus back home.

Precautions should be taken to isolate from vulnerable residents.

All individuals, When in public (e.g., parks, outdoor recreation areas, shopping areas), should maximize physical distance from others. Social settings of more than 10 people, where appropriate distancing may not be practical, should be avoided unless precautionary measures are observed.

Avoid socializing in groups of more than 10 people in circumstances that do not readily allow for appropriate physical distancing (e.g., receptions, trade shows) Minimize non-essential travel and adhere to CDC guidelines regarding isolation following travel.

EMPLOYERS Continue to encourage telework whenever possible and feasible with business operations.

If possible, return to work in phases.

Close common areas where personnel are likely to congregate and interact, or enforce strict social distancing protocols.

Minimize non-essential travel and adhere to CDC guidelines regarding isolation following travel.

Strongly consider special accommodations for personnel who are members of a vulnerable population.

SPECIFIC TYPES OF EMPLOYERS Schools and organized youth activities (e.g., daycare, camp) that are currently closed should remain closed.

Visits to senior living facilities and hospitals should be prohibited. Those who do interact with residents and patients must adhere to strict protocols regarding hygiene.

Large venues (e.g., sit-down dining, movie theaters, sporting venues, places of worship) can operate under strict physical distancing protocols.

Elective surgeries can resume, as clinically appropriate, on an outpatient basis at facilities that adhere to CMS guidelines.

Gyms can open if they adhere to strict physical distancing and sanitation protocols.

Bars should remain closed.

2020 April Issue

Phase Two (For States and Regions with no evdence of a rebound and that satisfy the gating criteria a second time) INDIVIDUALS All vulnerable individuals should continue to shelter in place. Members of households with vulnerable residents should be aware that by returning to work or other environments where distancing is not practical, they could carry the virus back home.

Precautions should be taken to isolate from vulnerable residents.

All individuals, When in public (e.g., parks, outdoor recreation areas, shopping areas), should maximize physical distance from others. Social settings of more than 50 people, where appropriate distancing may not be practical, should be avoided unless precautionary measures are observed.

Non-essential travel can resume.

EMPLOYERS Continue to encourage telework, whenever possible and feasible with business operations.

Close common areas where personnel are likely to congregate and interact, or enforce moderate social distancing protocols.

Strongly consider special accommodations for personnel who are members of a vulnerable population.

SPECIFIC TYPES OF EMPLOYERS Schools and organized youth activities (e.g., daycare, camp) can reopen.

Visits to senior living facilities and hospitals should be prohibited. Those who do interact with residents and patients must adhere to strict protocols regarding hygiene.

Large venues (e.g., sit-down dining, movie theaters, sporting venues, places of worship) can operate under moderate physical distancing protocols.

Elective surgeries can resume, as clinically appropriate, on an outpatient and in-patient basis at facilities that adhere to CMS guidelines.

Gyms can remain open if they adhere to strict physical distancing and sanitation protocols.

Bars may operate with diminished standing-room occupancy, where applicable and appropriate.

Phase Three (For States and Regions with no evidence of a rebound and that satisfy the gating criteria a third time) INDIVIDUALS Vulnerable individuals can resume public interactions, but should practice physical distancing, minimizing exposure to social settings where distancing may not be practical, unless precautionary measures are observed.

Low-risk populations should consider minimizing time spent in crowded environments.

EMPLOYERS Resume unrestricted staffing of worksites.

SPECIFIC TYPES OF EMPLOYERS Visits to senior living facilities and hospitals can resume. Those who interact with residents and patients must be diligent regarding hygiene.

Large venues (e.g., sit-down dining, movie theaters, sporting venues, places of worship) can operate under limited physical distancing protocols.

Gyms can remain open if they adhere to standard sanitation protocols.

Bars may operate with increased standing room occupancy, where applicable.

(From Whitehous)

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Asian Pacific Business Journal

2020 April Issue

President pushing online diplomacy through tweets

Taipei April 18 (CNA) President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) saw the number of her Twitter account followers surge past 1 million earlier this week as the social media platform has become a tool to strengthen Taiwan’s participation in the global community, she said Friday.

“Taiwan wants to engage with the world. And social media gives us a free, open platform to enter the global conversation. Pandemics have no borders. But fortunately for us, social media transcends distance as well,” Tsai said in a pre-recorded video released on Twitter on Friday.

She said her Twitter milestone came “at a unique and unprecedented time in history. Social media...helps Taiwan connect with the world.”

“Coming together and sharing our stories reminds us that we are not alone. We will get through this. And we will do it together” said Tsai, in the video that also showcased Taiwan’s efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and expressed the desire of the country and its citizens to help in the international community.

Since January this year, Tsai has been tweeting regularly about Taiwan’s efforts to combat COVID-19, including the country’s donation of millions of surgical face masks to health care workers in countries around the world.

The posts have received widespread attention and boosted her Twitter following by 40,000 in the last week alone.

The push for higher Twitter follower numbers intensified in early March, when Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Deputy Secretary- General

Sidney Lin (林鶴明) called for more Taiwanese to follow Tsai on Twitter and “tell our side of the story” to the world, instead of allowing the story to be told by China.

Twitter also appears to be a place for Tsai to engage with other world leaders. On April 7, she sent out a tweet to wish the U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson a swift recovery.

In another post that day, Tsai offered to donate surgical masks and medical supplies to Japan. In response, Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo retweeted Tsai’s post and thanked Taiwan for its warm support.

Tsai’s Twitter milestone came Wednesday, a day after she posted messages wishing people a Happy Songkran Festival in Thai and English.

Songkran is Thailand’s New Year.

As of Saturday, Taiwan had reported 398 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including six deaths, with 178 cases released from quarantine, while the total cases around the world had risen to more than 2.2 million, with over 150,000 deaths, according to statistics from Taiwan’s Centers for Disease Control.

Tsai wasn’t always an active Twitter user. Her Twitter account was idle for many years before she reactivated it on Jan. 15, 2017, nine months after she took office, due to intensifying Chinese efforts to isolate Taiwan internationally.

Japanese netizens make up the largest number of overseas followers of Tsai’s Twitter page.

Even though a growing number of politicians in Taiwan are using Twitter to send their messages to an international audience, Twitter is still

a minor third-place player in Taiwan in social media, according to the 2019 Taiwan Internet Report published by the Taiwan Network Information Center on Tuesday.

The report said 79.2 percent of those surveyed between September and November last year used online social media, among whom 98.9 percent used Facebook, 38.8 percent used Instagram and only 5.6 percent used Twitter.

According to the website of social media marketing company Socialbakers, Tsai’s 1 million followers makes her the most-followed Twitter user in Taiwan, with Apple Daily in second with nearly 980,000.

In comparison, the website showed the most-followed local Facebook page EBC News at 4.8 million. Four of the 10 most-followed pages on Facebook are those of news outlets, while three are those of singers -- Mayday lead singer Ashin (阿信), Jay Chou (周杰倫) and Wang Leehom (王力宏).

(From Focus Taiwan, by Yeh Su-Ping, Lu Hsin-hui and Kay Liu)

President Tsai Ing-wen. (CNA file photo)

Taiwan to donate 6 million masks to countries in Asia, Europe, Americas

Taipei, April 9 (CNA) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said Thursday that Taiwan has launched another round of donations of surgical face masks to countries severely affected by the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, including some listed in its New Southbound Policy, European nations, and countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The decision follows the offer of a total of 10 million masks to Taiwan’s 15 diplomatic allies, 11 European countries, and the United States, which is currently being carried out, MOFA spokeswoman Joanne Ou (歐江安) said at a regular press conference.

In the second round of donations, a total of six million surgical face masks will be sent to European Union member states, some U.S. states that are in dire need of personal protective equipment, some Latin American and Caribbean countries, and several countries covered by the Taiwan government’s New Southbound Policy, according to Ou. “Under the slogan of ‘Taiwan can help, and Taiwan is helping,’ our government and people will continue to participate in international affairs through concrete actions,” Ou said.

The donations of surgical face masks will help frontline health workers in the recipient countries to combat the coronavirus, she said.

MOFA, however, did not name the countries

or say how many masks each one will receive and when the shipments will go out.

A source familiar with the matter told CNA that the Philippines is expected to be given a large percentage of the masks, in view of its population size, the state of the coronavirus outbreak there, and its close people-to-people ties with Taiwan.

According to the source, MOFA must first obtain permission from Taiwan’s Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to ship millions of surgical masks out of the country because they are considered a “strategic medical resource.”

All of the arrangements are expected to be completed within a week or two, the source said, citing shipping difficulties due to a paralyzed air transportation industry worldwide.

In the first round of mask donations, the shipments to Taiwan’s 15 diplomatic allies were dispatched recently, while those to the Netherlands arrived on April 7, according to MOFA. Also in the first round, the shipments to other European countries such as Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, Belgium, Luxembourg, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and the Vatican, began Wednesday in the hope that they will arrive before the end of the week, MOFA said, noting that World health Day was on April 7.

Among the countries that will receive the

mask donations are some covered under Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy, which extends to the 10 member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as well as India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Australia, and New Zealand, according to MOFA. (From Focus Taiwan, by Emerson Lim)

(Photo taken from twitter.com/MOFA_Taiwan)

Photo courtesy of MOFA

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Asian Pacific Business Journal

2020 April Issue

Tsai details Taiwan’s battle against COVID-19 in Time 100 special issue

Taipei, CNA (CNA) An article by Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) was included in a special issue published by Time Magazine on Thursday that asked over 50 TIME 100 honorees for their insights on the challenges the world faces navigating the COVID-19 pandemic.

The special issue, titled “Finding Hope,” reached out to hundreds of people who have appeared on Time’s list of the 100 most influential people, including Former Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon and the 14th Dalai Lama, for their perspectives on the pandemic, according to the American news magazine.

In her article, Tsai wrote that Taiwan’s success in preventing a major outbreak of the coronavirus “is no coincidence.”

“A combination of efforts by medical professionals, government, private sector and society at large have armored our country’s defenses,” she wrote, adding that the painful lesson Taiwan learned during the 2003 SARS outbreak put its government and people on high alert early on.

She noted that Taiwan began monitoring incoming passengers from Wuhan, China, as early as December, established the Central Epidemic Command Center in January, and subsequently introduced travel restrictions and quarantine protocols for high-risk travelers.

In addition to public health professionals, Taiwanese citizens, businesses and communities have all taken steps to contain the virus, Tsai wrote.

“Although Taiwan has been unfairly excluded from the WHO and the U.N., we remain willing and able to utilize our strengths across manufacturing, medicine and technology to work with the world,” she wrote.

“Taiwan is no stranger to hardship, and our resilience stems from our willingness to unite to surmount even the toughest obstacles,” the article says.

“This, above all else, is what I hope Taiwan can share with the world: the human capacity to overcome challenges together is limitless. Taiwan can help.”

Time Magazine has postponed the publication of the 2020 TIME 100 list, previously scheduled for release on April 16, until September, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As of Thursday, Taiwan has confirmed 395 cases of COVID-19, with six deaths.

(From Focus Taiwan, by Christie Chen)

Facebook launches global coronavirus information center

Taipei, April 6 (CNA) Facebook on Monday rolled out a global coronavirus information center to help people around the world access reliable health information, resources and health

management information about the COVID-19 coronavirus disease, compiled by the World Health Organization (WHO) and local health authorities.

The Facebook COVID-19 Information Center will provide information such as effective disease prevention measures, advice for people on what to do when if they feel unwell, and tips on how to stay connected with others during home quarantine, the company said.

The center also contains the latest information on COVID-19 and guidelines issued by

global and national health organizations, in 23 different languages, the company said.

It is a “central place for people to get the latest news and information as well as resources and tips to stay healthy, and support their family and community,” Facebook said in a post.

In Taiwan, real-time information and resources on COVID-19 will be sourced from the country’s Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Facebook said.

People will also be able to obtain updates from the World Health Organization, and the content will be presented in the form of articles and videos, according to Facebook.

The launch of the information center is an effort by Facebook to support the work of the global public health community and help keep people safe and informed during the coronavirus public health crisis, the company said.

(From Focus Taiwan, by Jeffrey Wu and Evelyn Kao)

T H E I N T E R N AT I O N A L G RO U P AT R E / M A X P RO F E S S I O N A L S

ANDY K. LEUNG Broker Associate (fluent in Chinese) 303-868-7839 andy.leung@remax.net www.andyleungrealestate.com 500 E. 84th Ave, Suite A-1 Thorton, CO 80229

2020 April Issue

Asian Pacific Business Journal

Global Health Security— A Call for Taiwan’s Inclusion

Dr. Chen Shih-chung Minister of Health and Welfare Republic of China (Taiwan) The threat of emerging infectious diseases to global health and the economy, trade, and tourism has never abated. Pandemics can spread rapidly around the world because of the ease of international transportation. Among the most salient examples are the Spanish flu of 1918, the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak of 2003, and the H1N1 influenza of 2009.

Intermittently, serious regional epidemics, such as Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) in 2012, Ebola in West Africa in 2014, and the Zika virus in Central and South America in 2016, have also reared their heads. Today, a novel form of pneumonia that first emerged in Wuhan, China, at the end of 2019 and has since been classified as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused a global pandemic. As of April 8, 2020, World Health Organization data shows that 1.35 million people had been confirmed as having the disease, with 79,235 deaths in 211 countries/areas/territories. Taiwan has not been spared.

In the 17 years since it was hit hard by the SARS outbreak, Taiwan has been in a state of constant readiness to the threat of emerging infectious disease. As a result, when information concerning a novel pneumonia outbreak was first confirmed on December 31, 2019, Taiwan began implementing onboard quarantine of direct flights from Wuhan that same day. On January 2, 2020, Taiwan established a response team for the disease and activated the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) on January 20 as a level 3 government entity, upgrading it to level 2 and level 1 on January 23 and February 27, respectively. The CECC is able to effectively integrate resources from various ministries and invest itself fully in the containment of the epidemic. As of April 9, Taiwan had tested a total of 42,315 persons showing 380 confirmed cases, of which 54 have been indigenous, 326 imported and five deaths; 80 people had been released from hospital after testing negative. Despite its proximity to China, Taiwan ranked 123rd among 183 countries in terms of confirmed cases per million people. This has shown that Taiwan’s aggressive efforts to control the epidemic are working.

Disease knows no borders. In response to the threat of the COVID-19 epidemic, Taiwan has implemented dynamic plans concerning border quarantine measures, including onboard quarantine, fever screening, health declarations, and a 14-day home quarantine for passengers arriving from nations it has listed under Level 3 Warning.

Moreover, Taiwan has established an electronic system for entry quarantine, which allows passengers with a local mobile phone number to fill in health information via mobile phone. A health declaration pass will then be sent to them via a text message. This is connected to the community care support management system, which allows government agencies to provide care services and medical assistance. Individuals’ travel history is now stored on the National Health Insurance (NHI) card to alert physicians to possible cases and prevent community transmission. For those undergoing home quarantine or isolation, the government is working with telecom operators to allow GPS tracking of their locations.

Quarantine offenders are subject to fines or mandatory placement according to relevant laws and regulations, so as to prevent transmission.

Taiwan has also increased laboratory testing capacity, expanded the scope of its surveillance and inspections based on trends of the COVID-19 epidemic, and retested people with higher risk who had already tested negative, including patients with symptoms of severe influenza, community cases with upper respiratory tract infections who were already being monitored, and cluster cases of upper respiratory tract infections, to identify suspected cases and perform treatment in isolation wards. Meanwhile, Taiwan has designated 50 regional hospitals and medical centers and 167 community hospitals and clinics to create a tiered system for testing. These hospitals and clinics are required to set up special wards or areas; in principle, COVID-19 patients are isolated and treated individually in these wards and areas to prevent nosocomial infections. Moreover, Taiwan has banned the export of surgical masks since January 24, requisitioned masks, and expanded domestic mask production to more effectively allocate masks. On February 6, Taiwan launched a name-based rationing system for mask purchases at NHI-contracted pharmacies and local public health agencies. It added an ordering system for masks on March 12. This allows people to order online and pick up masks at convenience stores. These measures have helped us achieve effective allocation of limited resources and meet healthcare, epidemic prevention, household, and industrial needs.

A crisis anywhere readily becomes a problem everywhere. Global health security requires the efforts of every person to ensure an optimal response to public health threats and challenges.

Taiwan, though not a member of WHO, cannot stand alone and must be included in the fight against such threats and challenges. Taiwan has fulfilled its responsibilities as a global citizen

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and abided by the International Health Regulations 2005 (IHR 2005) in notifying WHO of confirmed COVID-19 cases. Moreover, Taiwan has communicated with other countries such as Japan, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, the United States, Canada, Italy, France, Switzerland, Germany, the United Kingdom, Belgium, and the Netherlands, as well as the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, to share information on confirmed cases, travel and contact histories of patients, and border control measures. Taiwan has uploaded the genetic sequence of COVID-19 to the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID). Taiwan has worked with global partners to respond to the threat of COVID-19 to ensure that global health is not imperiled by a lack of communication and transparency.

If it is indeed WHO’s mission to ensure the highest attainable standard of health for every human being, then WHO needs Taiwan just as Taiwan needs WHO. Yet Taiwan has long been excluded from WHO due to political considerations. This has been regrettable given all that Taiwan could share with the world thanks to its renowned public health experience, health system, NHI, and ability to perform rapid testing as well as research and manufacture vaccines and drugs against COVID-19. We can also share our methods for analyzing the virus. We hope that after this pandemic abates, WHO will truly understand that infectious diseases know no borders, and that no country should be excluded, lest it become a major gap in global health security. WHO should not neglect the contribution to global health security of any nation.

We urge WHO and related parties to acknowledge Taiwan’s longstanding contributions to the international community in the areas of public health, disease prevention, and the human right to health, and to include Taiwan in WHO and its meetings, mechanisms, and activities. Taiwan will continue to work with the rest of the world to ensure that all enjoy the fundamental human right to health as stipulated in the WHO Constitution. Echoing the mantra of the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, no one should be left behind.

2020 April Issue

Asian Pacific Business Journal

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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) How to Protect Yourself & Others

Know How it Spreads • There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

• The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.

• The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person. ・Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet). ・Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. ・These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. ・Some recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms.

Everyone Should: Clean your hands often • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

• If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth

with unwashed hands.

Avoid close contact • Avoid close contact with people who are sick • Stay home as much as possible.

• Put distance between yourself and other people. ・Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread virus. ・Keeping distance from others is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.

Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others • You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick.

• Everyone should wear a cloth face cover when they have to go out in public, for example to the grocery store or to pick up other necessities. ・Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.

• The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected. ・Do NOT use a facemask meant for a

healthcare worker. ・Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.

Cover coughs and sneezes • If you are in a private setting and do not have on your cloth face covering, remember to always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.

• Throw used tissues in the trash.

• Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Clean and disinfect • Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.

• If surfaces are dirty, clean them. Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.

• Then, use a household disinfectant. Most common EPA-registered household disinfectantexternal icon will work.

(From CDC Website)

Cleaning And Disinfecting Your Home Everyday Steps and Extra Steps When Someone Is Sick

How to clean and disinfect: Wear disposable gloves to clean and disinfect.

Clean • Clean surfaces using soap and water. Practice routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces.

• High touch surfaces include: Tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, sinks, etc.

Disinfect • Clean the area or item with soap and water or another detergent if it is dirty. Then, use a household disinfectant.

• Recommend use of EPA-registered household disinfectantexternal icon.

Follow the instructions on the label to ensure safe and effective use of the product. Many products recommend: ・Keeping surface wet for a period of time (see product label) ・Precautions such as wearing gloves and making sure you have good ventilation during use of the product.

• Diluted household bleach solutions may also be used if appropriate for the surface. ・Check the label to see if your bleach is intended for disinfection, and ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Some bleaches, such as those designed for safe use on colored clothing or for whitening may not be suitable for disinfection. ・Unexpired household bleach will be ef-

fective against coronaviruses when properly diluted. ・Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application and proper ventilation. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser.

Leave solution on the surface for at least 1 minute.

To make a bleach solution, mix: ・5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water OR ・4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water • Alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol may also be used.

Soft surfaces For soft surfaces such as carpeted floor, rugs, and drapes • Clean the surface using soap and water or with cleaners appropriate for use on these surfaces.

• Launder items (if possible) according to the manufacturer’s instructions.Use the warmest appropriate water setting and dry items completely.

OR • Disinfect with an EPA-registered household disinfectant. These disinfectantsexternal icon meet EPA’s criteria for use against COVID-19.

Electronics For electronics, such as tablets, touch screens, keyboards, and remote controls.

• Consider putting a wipeable cover on electronics

• Follow manufacturer’s instruction for cleaning and disinfecting. If no guidance, use alcohol-based wipes or sprays containing at least 70% alcohol. Dry surface thoroughly.

Laundry For clothing, towels, linens and other items: • Launder items according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Use the warmest appropriate water setting and dry items completely.

• Wear disposable gloves when handling dirty laundry from a person who is sick.

• Dirty laundry from a person who is sick can be washed with other people’s items.

• Do not shake dirty laundry.

• Clean and disinfect clothes hampers according to guidance above for surfaces.

• Remove gloves, and wash hands right away.

Clean hands often • Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds. ・Always wash immediately after removing gloves and after contact with a person who is sick.

• Hand sanitizer: If soap and water are not readily available and hands are not visibly dirty, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. However, if hands are visibly dirty, always wash hands with soap and water.

• Additional key times to clean hands include: ・After blowing one’s nose, coughing, or sneezing (Continued to Page 7)

2020 April Issue

Asian Pacific Business Journal

(Continued from Page 6) ・After using the restroom ・Before eating or preparing food ・After contact with animals or pets ・Before and after providing routine care for another person who needs assistance (e.g. a child) • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

When Someone is Sick Bedroom and Bathroom

Keep separate bedroom and bathroom for a person who is sick (if possible) • The person who is sick should stay separated from other people in the home (as much as possible).

• If you have a separate bedroom and bathroom:

Only clean the area around the person who is sick when needed, such as when the area is soiled. This will help limit your contact with the person who is sick. ・Caregivers can provide personal cleaning supplies to the person who is sick (if appropriate).

Supplies include tissues, paper towels, cleaners, and EPA-registered disinfectantsexternal icon. If they feel up to it, the person who is sick can clean their own space.

• If shared bathroom: The person who is sick should clean and disinfect after each use. If this is not possible, the caregiver should wait as long as possible before cleaning and disinfecting.

Food

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• Stay separated: The person who is sick should eat (or be fed) in their room if possible.

• Wash dishes and utensils using gloves and hot water: Handle any used dishes, cups/glasses, or silverware with gloves. Wash them with soap and hot water or in a dishwasher.

• Clean hands after taking off gloves or handling used items.

Trash • Dedicated, lined trash can: If possible, dedicate a lined trash can for the person who is sick.

Use gloves when removing garbage bags, and handling and disposing of trash. Wash hands afterwards.

(From CDC Website)

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) A Weekly Surveillance Summary of U.S. COVID-19 Activity

Key Updates for Week 15, ending April 11, 2020 This CDC report provides a weekly summary and interpretation of key indicators that have been adapted to track the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. While influenza-like illness (ILI) declined, it is still elevated and laboratory confirmed COVID-19 activity continues to increase as do COVID-19 severity indicators (hospitalizations and deaths).

Virus Public health, commercial and clinical laboratories are all testing for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and reporting their results. The national percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 increased from week 14 to week 15 and is as follows: • Public health laboratories – increased from 17.3% during week 14 to 17.8% during week 15; • Clinical laboratories – increased from 10.6% during week 14 to 11.5% during week 15; • Commercial laboratories – increased from 20.6% during week 14 to 22.6% during week 15.

Severe Disease Hospitalizations Cumulative COVID-19-associated hospitalization rates since March 1, 2020, are updated weekly. The overall cumulative hospitalization rate is 20.0 per 100,000, with the highest rates in persons 65 years and older (63.8 per 100,000) and 50-64 years (32.8 per 100,000).

Mortality Based on death certificate data, the percentage of deaths attributed to COVID-19, pneumonia or influenza increased from 17.8% during week 14 to 18.8% during week 15.

All data are preliminary and may change as more reports are received.

A description of the surveillance systems summarized in COVIDView, including methodology and detailed descriptions of each data component, is available on the surveillance methods page.

Key Points • CDC has modified existing surveillance systems, many used to track influenza and other respiratory viruses annually, to track COVID-19.

• Nationally, the percentage of laboratory specimens testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 continued to increase.

• Visits to outpatient providers and emergency departments (EDs) for illnesses with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 are elevated compared to what is normally seen at this time of year but decreased compared to levels reported last week. At this time, there is little influenza virus circulation. The levels of people presenting for care with these symptoms is likely due to COVID-19 but may be tempered by a number of factors including less ILI overall because of widespread adoption of social distancing efforts and changes in healthcare seeking behavior.

• The overall cumulative COVID-19 associated hospitalization rate is 20.0 per 100,000, with the highest rates in persons 65 years and older (63.8 per 100,000) and 50-64 years (32.8 per 100,000). Hospitalization rates for COVID-19 in older people are higher than what is typically seen early in a flu season.

• Based on death certificate data, the percentage of deaths attributed to COVID-19, pneumonia or influenza increased from 17.8% during week 14 to 18.8% during week 15.

U.S. Virologic Surveillance The number of specimens tested for SARSCoV-2 and reported to CDC by public health laboratories and a subset of clinical and commercial laboratories in the United States are summarized below. At this point in the outbreak, all laboratories are performing primary diagnostic functions; therefore, the percentage of specimens testing positive across laboratory types can be used to monitor trends in COVID-19 activity. As the outbreak progresses, it is possible that different types of laboratories will take on different roles, and the data interpretation may need to be modified. The lower percentage of specimens testing positive in the clinical laboratories compared to the public health and commercial laboratories is likely due to the amount of COVID-19 activity in areas with reporting laboratories and a larger proportion of specimens from children.

Summary of Laboratory Testing Results Reported to CDC*

Public Health Laboratories

Clinical Laboratories

Commercial Laboratories

(From CDC Website, Updated April 17, 2020)

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Asian Pacific Business Journal

2020 April Issue

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Stress and Coping Outbreaks can be stressful The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be stressful for people. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Coping with stress will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger.

• Stress during an infectious disease outbreak can include • Fear and worry about your own health and the health of your loved ones • Changes in sleep or eating patterns • Difficulty sleeping or concentrating • Worsening of chronic health problems • Worsening of mental health conditions • Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations How you respond to the outbreak can depend on your background, the things that make you different from other people, and the community you live in.

People who may respond more strongly to the stress of a crisis include • Older people and people with chronic diseases who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 • Children and teens • People who are helping with the response to COVID-19, like doctors, other health care providers, and first responders • People who have mental health conditions including problems with substance use Take care of yourself and your community Taking care of yourself, your friends, and your family can help you cope with stress. Helping others cope with their stress can also make your community stronger.

Ways to cope with stress • Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting.

• Take care of your body. ・Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditateexternal icon. ・Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals. ・Exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep. ・Avoid alcohol and drugsexternal icon.

• Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy.

• Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.

Need help? Know someone who does?

If you, or someone you care about, are feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety, or feel like you want to harm yourself or others • Call 911 • Visit the Disaster Distress Helplineexternal icon, call 1-800-985-5990, or text TalkWithUs to 66746 • Visit the National Domestic Violence Hotlineexternal icon or call 1-800-799-7233 and TTY 1-800-787-3224 Know the facts to help reduce stress Sharing the facts about COVID-19. Understanding the risk to yourself and people you care about can make an outbreak less stressful.

When you share accurate information about COVID-19, you can help make people feel less stressed and make a connection with them.

Take care of your mental health Call your healthcare provider if stress gets in the way of your daily activities for several days in a row.

People with preexisting mental health conditions should continue with their treatment and be aware of new or worsening symptoms. Additional information can be found at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Disaster Preparednessexternal icon page.

For parents Children and teens react, in part, on what they see from the adults around them. When parents and caregivers deal with the COVID-19 calmly and confidently, they can provide the best support for their children. Parents can be more reassuring to others around them, especially children, if they are better prepared.

Watch for behavior changes in your child Not all children and teens respond to stress in the same way. Some common changes to watch for include • Excessive crying or irritation in younger children • Returning to behaviors they have outgrown (for example, toileting accidents or bedwetting) • Excessive worry or sadness • Unhealthy eating or sleeping habits • Irritability and “acting out” behaviors in teens • Poor school performance or avoiding school Difficulty with attention and concentration • Avoidance of activities enjoyed in the past • Unexplained headaches or body pain • Use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs Ways to support your child • Talk with your child or teen about the COVID-19 outbreak.

• Answer questions and share facts about COVID-19 in a way that your child or teen can understand.

• Reassure your child or teen that they are safe.

Let them know it is ok if they feel upset. Share with them how you deal with your own stress so that they can learn how to cope from you.

• Limit your family’s exposure to news coverage of the event, including social media. Children may misinterpret what they hear and can be frightened about something they do not understand.

• Try to keep up with regular routines. If schools are closed, create a schedule for learning activities and relaxing or fun activities.

• Be a role model. Take breaks, get plenty of sleep, exercise, and eat well. Connect with your friends and family members.

For people at higher risk for serious illness People at higher risk for severe illness, such as older adults, and people with underlying health conditions are also at increased risk of stress due to COVID-19. Special considerations include: • Older adults and people with disabilities are at increased risk for having mental health concerns, such as depression.

• Mental health problems can present as physical complaints (such as headaches or stomachaches) or cognitive problems (such as having trouble con-

centrating).

• Doctors may be more likely to miss mental health concerns among ・People with disabilities due to a focus on treating underlying health conditions, compared to people without disabilities. ・Older adults because depression can be mistaken for a normal part of aging.

Common reactions to COVID-19 • Concern about protecting oneself from the virus because they are at higher risk of serious illness.

• Concern that regular medical care or community services may be disrupted due to facility closures or reductions in services and public transport closure.

• Feeling socially isolated, especially if they live alone or are in a community setting that is not allowing visitors because of the outbreak.

• Guilt if loved ones help them with activities of daily living.

• Increased levels of distress if they: ・Have mental health concerns before the outbreak, such as depression. ・Live in lower-income households or have language barriers ・Experience stigma because of age, race or ethnicity, disability, or perceived likelihood of spreading COVID-19.

Support your loved ones Check in with your loved ones often. Virtual communication can help you and your loved ones feel less lonely and isolated. Consider connecting with loved ones by: • Telephone • Email • Mailing letters or cards • Text messages • Video chat • Social media Help keep your loved ones safe.

• Know what medications your loved one is taking. Try to help them have a 4-week supply of prescription and over the counter medications. and see if you can help them have extra on hand.

• Monitor other medical supplies (oxygen, incontinence, dialysis, wound care) needed and create a back-up plan.

• Stock up on non-perishable food (canned foods, dried beans, pasta) to have on hand in your home to minimize trips to stores.

• If you care for a loved one living in a care facility, monitor the situation, and speak with facility administrators or staff over the phone. Ask about the health of the other residents frequently and know the protocol if there is an outbreak.

Take care of your own emotional health. Caring for a loved one can take an emotional toll, especially during an outbreak like COVID-19. There are ways to support yourself.

Stay home if you are sick. Do not visit family or friends who are at greater risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Use virtual communication to keep in touch to support your loved one and keep them safe.

For more information: https://www.cdc.gov/ coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html (From CDC Website)

Asian Pacific Business Journal Publisher: Wendy Chao President: Frank Chao Editor: Alysia Lee