* Covid-19 vaccines, or the lack thereof, continues to be a focus in Taiwan as the island struggles to contain the most serious outbreak since the pandemic began some 18 months ago. The majority of the currently available AZ vaccines are reserved for front-line health workers, police and fire fighters, and seniors over 80. The pace is slow, and a number of deaths have been reported in recent days, with the CODs yet to be determined. Unfortunately this may heighten reluctance among some to receive the vaccine shots, despite eligibility.
* A more encouraging news surfaced this morning as FoxConn founder, Mr. Terry Gou, posted the latest in his FB account on his attempt to procure 5 million doses of BNT vaccines, which will be subsequently donated to the local health authorities for allocation. Though nothing appeared conclusive, Gou sounded optimistic as the planned vaccine purchase inches slowly toward fruition. More importantly, if Gou's vaccine purchase proves to be successful, he would have blazed a trail that other religious and corporate leaders could follow suit. Coupled with the pending EUA of the two indigenous vaccines--Medigen and United BioPharma--the outlook looks cautiously optimistic as the island heads into summer.
* While some might have hoped the ongoing vaccine shortage in Taiwan could be an opportunity for a thaw in cross-Strait relations, there simply wasn't enough goodwill on either side to break the impasse. Official rhetorics from both sides have not been helpful, and each has accused the other of "putting politics above public health concerns." In addition, the frequent and intensified encroachments of Taiwan's ADIZ by Chinese fighter jets in recent days have stirred up a new wave of anti-China sentiments in Taiwan. There is simply no political will--on either side--to repair the damaged relations across the Taiwan Strait since 2016.
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