SARS in Taiwan: The Discussion from the Social and Historical Perspective

• Main Authors: Chen, Ying-Hua, 陳盈華
• Other Authors: Liu, Shi-Yung
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2007
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/16328279667889691396

碩士 === 臺北醫學大學 === 醫學人文研究所 === 95 === This study aims to understand SARS incident in 2003 Taiwan by the theoretical and historical framework from current studies of the history of epidemics. Being aware of the ubiquitous interference in contemporary Taiwanese society and from its past, the author first adapts the general pattern that human beings respond to epidemics, by medical historian Charles E. Rosenberg as the essential foundation to the whole discussion. Compiling local archives and data, the author reviews key experiences that Taiwanese society dealt with several epidemics such as plague and Spanish flu during the Japan-ruled period (1895-1945). In the end, the author can finally portray the common ground of Taiwanese experience of fighting sever epidemics to moderately re-shape Rosenberg’s theory matching the development of SARS incident in 2003 Taiwan. Generally speaking, the SARS incident in Taiwan was not merely an epidemic hurting the Taiwanese’s confidence to modern medical care, but also a mirror reflecting the shadow corner that had been long term buried in Taiwanese society. In conclusion, despite the globalization of modern medicine is inevitable, the 2003 SARS incident in Taiwan reveals many unexpected features from local experience. As the panic was overwhelming during the incident, old memory to the system of sanitary policeman, notorious isolation ward in Japan-ruled period came back and guided current emergency policies of SARS as well as the social response. Meanwhile, the state struggled to stay in control by holding the official press and announcing statistical numbers as the old colonial government did before 1945. However, such struggles sometimes showed a dead end when current government neglected the powerful impact from mass rumor and media including internet.Among all the discussions of SARS in 2003 Taiwan, this study is certainly not the last but could be the one sharing historical/social insights to the discussion. On that stand, the collective and individual feelings about SARS incident are equally treated by the author to leave information to remember and dedicate those who had been there.