Fighting the Pandemic with "Shields": Successful COVID-19 Securitization and Mask Policy in Taiwan. (March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chang, Chia-Chien; Yen, Wei-Ting; Liu, Li-Yin
• Other Names: Wang T.Y. guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of Asian and African studies. Volume 58:Number 2(2023)
• Page Start: 214
• Page End: 231
• Publication Date: 2023-03
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- securitization -- virus securitization -- surgical masks -- Taiwan -- whole-of-nation; Social change -- Africa -- Periodicals; Social change -- Asia -- Periodicals; Economic development -- Africa -- Periodicals; Economic development -- Asia -- Periodicals; Africa -- Social conditions -- Periodicals; Asia -- Social conditions -- Periodicals; Africa -- Periodicals; Asia -- Periodicals; 950
• DOI: 10.1177/00219096221137684
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9096

Abstract

Facemasks have been proven an effective non-pharmaceutical measure against coronavirus disease-19. Against the backdrop of global mask shortages, Taiwan distinguished herself from other countries in that Taiwan took a whole-of-nation approach to masks and mobilized the society quickly to become self-sufficient in masks. This paper argues that successful virus securitization as a threat to national security was what enabled Taiwan to effectively mobilize the private sector to carry out the state's will in ensuring adequate mask supply. Moreover, Taiwan securitized the virus more successfully than many other countries because the virus was connected to China, the nation's existing security threat.