Replies

Some of the methods, like the ones you listed, are probably possible to do here. The JAMA article I posted earlier in this thread describes how Taiwan was able to do targeted interventions based on mining their database of health records, and also travel records. That seems like very helpful data to have, but not possible in the USA at this time.

"On January 27, the National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) and the National Immigration Agency integrated patients’ past 14-day travel history with their NHI identification card data from the NHIA; this was accomplished in 1 day. Taiwan citizens’ household registration system and the foreigners’ entry card allowed the government to track individuals at high risk because of recent travel history in affected areas. Those identified as high risk (under home quarantine) were monitored electronically through their mobile phones. On January 30, the NHIA database was expanded to cover the past 14-day travel history for patients from China, Hong Kong, and Macau. On February 14, the Entry Quarantine System was launched, so travelers can complete the health declaration form by scanning a QR code that leads to an online form, either prior to departure from or upon arrival at a Taiwan airport. A mobile health declaration pass was then sent via SMS to phones using a local telecom operator, which allowed for faster immigration clearance for those with minimal risk. This system was created within a 72-hour period. On February 18, the government announced that all hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies in Taiwan would have access to patients’ travel histories."

I am not surprised by the rapid adoption of masks in Taiwan due to their awareness of the situation in China and prior experience with SARS.

Overall Taiwan did a great job of managing COVID-19, as you have noted a lot of what they did sets an example that other nations could learn from. Unfortunately the response in the USA has been more muddled in many local areas such as New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts.

Another major factor is strong border control. There are not that many illegals here. With the home registration, as you mentioned, tied in with customs, they know who is coming from an infected area. Also health care system wasn’t overwhelmed. Most people do not go to hospital emergency rooms for minor things. They have clinics here. Just within a 3 block radius of where I live there must be 7. Some specialize - pediatrics, ENT, etc. They are usually open to 9 PM , 7 days a week.