Politics as Usual

* Amidst the worst outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic, Taiwan remains divided along part lines. From vaccine procurement to the application of indigenous ones, there is little, if any, consensus between the leading camps. While the situation seemed to have stabilised in recent days, with confirmed cases dropping below below 200, there is no indication that the ongoing "war of words" would let up anytime soon.

* There are many reasons for political division within Taiwan. The lack of an islandwide consensus on key issues is probably the most critical. This makes policy formulation generally not inclusive enough, and the ruling party--whether the DPP or the KMT--often risks alienating segments of population long ignored.

* Vaccine procurement remains the top priority in the ongoing fight against Covid-19. The debate is also intensifying over the indigenous vaccines, which will likely receive EUA from Taiwan's health authorities as early as next month. While cases might have dropped and the situation appears stabilising, public health threats will continue if vaccines remain in short supply.