Faced with the virus, Taiwan relies on mascots and peaceful communication - France 24

Taipei (AFP)

Animated mascots, humor and prevention advice calling on not to wear a mask systematically: in the face of the coronavirus, Taiwan rejects alarmism and relies on peaceful communication - the opposite of the catastrophic slogans of the Chinese enemy brother.

Taiwan has registered around 20 cases of contamination with the new coronavirus and reported on Sunday the first death attributed to the epidemic on the island, a 61-year-old taxi driver.

However, Taipei avoids at all costs the climate of panic that reigns in Communist China where more than 1,700 deaths have been recorded.

On social networks, the Taiwanese authorities use images of mascot animals to defuse false information and repeat basic hygiene advice.

The Ministry of Health chose to "speak" for a dog called Zongchai. A real box: his name has acquired a dazzling popularity and his instructions are reposted hundreds of thousands of times.

Among its recommendations is the advice not to systematically wear a mask if you are not suffering ... given the shortage.

"Leave the masks on for people who need them, wash your hands with soap frequently, avoid touching your eyes, nose, mouth," he suggests.

On Valentine's Day, the canine offers advice for romantic dates in these times of coronavirus - regular handwashing, staying sober and protected sex. "What if I'm single?" Wonders the post. Zongchai kindly barks: "You can also stay at home!".

- 'Coin-coinragely exaggerated' -

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs decides to prohibit entry to travelers from mainland China? A pigeon with a beak covered with a mask announces the new policy: "Virus outside, security inside".

And to defuse rumors of a shortage of boxes for take-out meals, the Ministry of the Economy stages a goose and a play on words: "it's corner-cornered exaggeratedly". "Likes" accumulate.

Admittedly, the epidemic in Taiwan is out of proportion with its scale in mainland China, where at least 70,500 people have been contaminated and where the authorities are imposing drastic containment measures on tens of millions of inhabitants.

Nevertheless, the modes and the tone of communication of Taiwan - an island of which Beijing claims sovereignty but which is de facto ruled independently by a democratic government - contrast sharply with the line of the communist regime.

Anxiety messages, alarmist slogans in the streets and panicked citizens hushed up at home ... Beijing launched a vast campaign calling for patriotism and sacrifice.

In cities in quarantine at the epicenter of the epidemic, banners indicate that "to visit each other is to kill each other" or "to meet is a collective suicide". Catastrophic instructions that have spread throughout the country.

- Restrictions on masks -

Because of the doctrine of "one China" defended by Beijing, Taiwan is excluded from the World Health Organization (WHO).

The island nonetheless reacted promptly when the epidemic was spreading across the strait, by restricting and then preventing entry to visitors to the continent.

Taiwan also had to briefly deal with panic purchases of masks, faced with limited stocks.

Pragmatic response from the authorities: barring exceptions, you can only buy two masks a week using your health insurance card.

At the same time, Taipei restricted the number of masks a person can export to 250. Customs intercepted last week a ship trying to get out ... 71,000 masks.

© 2020 AFP