From NYC Pandemic Epicenter to Taiwan's Safety: A Personal Reflection

An expatriate living in the United States for over 30 years describes their harrowing experience with the early COVID-19 outbreak in New York City and their subsequent escape to Taiwan, where they felt a profound sense of safety and gratitude.

The author, residing in Flushing, Queens, initially found it unbelievable that a virus could cause fatalities in the 21st century. However, witnessing the escalating crisis through Taiwanese news reports and later seeing devastating images from Elmhurst Hospital and reports of mass graves in New York solidified the grim reality. The economic impact was also severe, with businesses closing, including some Chinese supermarkets.

Feeling vulnerable and alone in New York, the author decided to return to Taiwan. They managed to secure an affordable flight with Eva Air, a stark contrast to the exorbitant prices charged by Chinese airlines. The flight itself was eerily empty, with only a handful of passengers, underscoring the global impact of the pandemic.

Upon arrival at Taoyuan Airport, the author was met with Taiwan's rigorous quarantine measures, including being assigned a防疫旅館 (quarantine hotel). Despite a brief scare with a suspected fever that led to further medical checks, they ultimately tested negative. The author praised the quality of food and care provided during their quarantine and subsequent stay in Taipei, noting how life in the city seemed remarkably normal compared to the chaos they had left behind.

Reflecting on their experience, the author expressed deep gratitude towards Taiwan's leadership, including President Tsai Ing-wen and Minister Chen Shih-chung, as well as Eva Air and the frontline healthcare workers. They described Taiwan's pandemic response as a source of immense happiness and felt their life was reborn due to the efforts of the Taiwanese people and authorities.