Living in Taiwan during the first Coronavirus outbreak

 

It wasn't a long time ago when I wrote about coronavirus and how I felt being stuck here in Taiwan. The island nation was one of the few countries in the world that has dodged the virus completely. We did have cases nearly every day, but these came in from the outside and were put into quarantine. For over a year the system worked flawlessly, until last month when a foreign pilot spread the UK variant inside the airport hotel and the staff spread it to family members and friends, and some of them spread it to random strangers, especially in Taipei. And so Taiwan has its first large local outbreak since the start of the pandemic. We had some 5-10 cases per day already last week, but two days ago we got a much bigger daily number for the first time: 180 cases. A day later, which happens to be today, it's already 202. I'm already nervous when I think about what the numbers will be tomorrow or a week from today. I'm afraid they'll be in the thousands, and higher. 

So here we are now. The exact thing happened that I worried about a year ago. I have so many mixed feelings right now. First I'm even more impressed that we were able to live virus-free for a whole year. The speed with which is spreads these days is astounding. Secondly, the mood visibly changed. The streets are for the most parts empty of pedestrians, people remain inside, but those who do walk around, you can feel their anxiety. Some go out and panic buy supplies, but that's also slowing down. Companies are announcing work from home, elementary schools are still open, though, but I think it's just a question of time before they lock down the city completely, and kids will be schooled from home. Greater Taipei is one of the most densely populated cities in the world, so the virus will have a plenty of hosts to spread, but on the other hand, it's also a city that is really well connected online, and there's a really well developed network of getting stuff delivered to your home, and usually getting it really fast. Taipei can survive this, its people are smart and resilient, but it does feel like we're sitting on a plane and bracing for an impact. 

You really cherish freedom when you lose it. These days I'm thinking why I did not go out more, do more things in the past months, because I'll probably spend weeks, if not months, stuck at home. Of course that's really not that big of a deal, my main concern is that me and my dear ones remain healthy. Health is the only thing that matters right now, everything else is secondary.

Wish us good luck.