From Chaos of Face Masks to that of Toilet Paper, Who Leads the People to the Brink of Collapse?

 From Chaos of Face Masks to that of Toilet Paper, Who Leads the People to the Brink of Collapse?

United Daily News Editorial (Taipei, Taiwan)

February 9, 2020

 Translation of an Excerpt

The Wuhan novel coronavirus epidemic has been spreading, and Taiwan’s confirmed cases have been increasing one after another. As the virus is knocking on the door, and the virus is approaching, people nevertheless even find it difficult to buy face masks. These days, many people, besides having to queue up at pharmacies to buy face masks, have also hurried to supermarkets to snatch toilet paper, tampons and diapers. The Economics Minister has hurriedly posted articles to dispel rumors, Premier Su Tseng-chang has also spoken loudly, even President Tsai Ing-wen has come out to personally help clarify things; however, the shelves in supermarkets have still been swept clean. It is obvious that people have weak confidence in facing the onslaught of the epidemic, and their trust in the government is on the brink of collapse.

The Economics Ministry now says that “supply is adequate” for toilet paper, but didn’t Tsai Ing-wen and Su Tseng-chang earlier on issue full pledges that face masks were "in adequate supply"? Government epidemic information and anti-epidemic measures have often been contradictory and chaotic, different as days go by, letting the public not know what to follow. It may be said that the Cabinet is the original culprit for the face mask chaos.

The efforts and professional performance of Taiwan's anti-epidemic team have won plaudits, but the government's complimentary measures not only failed to catch up but have added confusion, nevertheless, eroding people's confidence in epidemic prevention and exhausting people's confidence in the government. Su Tseng-chang, in a shrill voice, severely punished the loophole in epidemic prevention, but the government endlessly fabricates gaps in people's confidence and social trust. When the epidemic situation continues to escalate, closing the gaps in people's confidence in epidemic prevention and trust in the government is even more important.

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