content_text:
民進黨新北市黨部將於5月24日舉行第6屆主委、黨員代表的投票，主委參選登記今(17)日截止登記，現任主委余天因連任2屆任滿，僅新北市議員何博文1人登記參選，同額競選；此外，70人角逐64席的黨員代表。

何博文強調，大數據的網路新時代，應用新世代思維，積極建構黨部智慧平台，反映民意、解決民怨，讓人民有感；此外，強化黨員聯誼，透過不同型式的活動促進情誼，提供不同世代間黨員交流機會，爭取年輕人入黨、鞏固資深黨員的結構，讓黨發展兼具活力與傳承。

▲新北市議員何博文強調，大數據的網路新時代，應用新世代思維，積極建構黨部智慧平台，反映民意、解決民怨，讓人民有感。（圖／新北市議員何博文服務處提供）
民進黨新北市黨部表示，5月24日舉行第6屆主委、黨員代表的投票，主委僅何博文1人登記參選，另70人角逐64席的黨員代表；此外，黨部執委、評委將於6月28日舉行投票，雖執委呈現17搶16的態勢，評委則為10搶9的局面，並於4月23日抽籤。

地方人士指出，以行政院長蘇貞昌為首的蘇系人馬，從民國89年起開始擔任民進黨新北市黨部的前身台北縣黨部主委，但101年英系立委羅致政擊敗蘇系張宏陸擔任第2屆的市黨部主委並連任，正國會立委余天104年則擊敗新系新北市議員陳文治擔任4屆主委並連任。

people: 何博文 張宏陸 蘇貞昌 余天 羅致政 陳文治

title: 民進黨新北市黨部主委改選　何博文同額競選


content_text:
（中央社記者胡玉立多倫多17日電）加拿大政治電子報（iPolitics）今天刊出衛福部長陳時中「武漢肺炎疫情凸顯台灣入WHO重要性」專文，籲請WHO及相關各方注意台灣長期對全球公衛防疫及健康人權之貢獻，堅定支持將台灣納入WHO，讓台灣完整參與WHO各項會議、機制及活動。

陳時中在專文指出，新興傳染病對全球人類健康及經貿旅遊的威脅不曾間斷，舉凡1918年西班牙流感、2003年嚴重急性呼吸道症候群（SARS）、2009年H1N1新型流感等全球大流行，乃至2012年中東呼吸症候群冠狀病毒感染症（MERS）、2014年西非伊波拉出血熱（Ebola）、2016年中南美洲茲卡病毒感染症（Zika）等區域大流行，皆因國際航空運輸加速散播全球各地，造成全球衛生安全不可避免的傷害。

更有甚者，2019年底從中國武漢傳出的不明原因肺炎，現已在全球各地爆發大流行，截至WHO2020年4月8日統計數據，全球已有135萬3361名確診病例、7萬9235人死亡，影響範圍擴及211個國家/區域/地區，台灣亦無從倖免。

陳時中指出，台灣在經歷SARS慘痛經驗後，17年來面對各種傳染病威脅，嚴正以待，積極因應，從未輕忽懈怠。因此，台灣在2019年12月31日確認中國武漢發生不明原因肺炎，當日即啟動武漢直航班機登機檢疫措施，超前部署以預防人傳人風險；2020年1月2日成立嚴重傳染性肺炎疫情應變小組、1月20日成立三級開設中央流行疫情指揮中心、1月23日升級為二級開設、2月27日再升級為一級開設，有效整合跨部會防疫資源，全數投入疫情防治工作。

截至4月9日止，台灣已累計檢驗4萬2315例，共發現380起確診病例，其中本土54例、境外移入326例、5例死亡，經三次採檢均為陰性的出院者80例。台灣地理位置雖鄰近中國，每百萬人口確診數在國際間排名約第123名，顯示台灣防疫工作成效顯著。

陳時中表示，台灣深刻體認傳染病無國界，為因應此波武漢肺炎（COVID-19， 2019冠狀病毒疾病）疫情威脅，在第一時間即依據國際疫情變化趨勢，滾動式調整邊境檢疫措施，包括登機檢疫、發燒篩檢、健康聲明需求及針對三級警告流行國家入境者執行14日居家檢疫。

此外，還建置入境檢疫電子系統，讓持有國內各電信業者手機門號的旅客，透過手機填報資料，健康申報憑證經由簡訊自動發送，與社區關懷及生活支持管理資訊系統串接，以利政府單位關懷及提供生活、就醫協助。

病患旅遊史亦註記在健保IC卡，提醒醫師留意，以及早發現可能個案，阻斷社區傳播。對居家檢疫或居家隔離民眾，亦經由電信業者與資訊的配合，採取隔離檢疫地點GPS定位追蹤，違法者依相關法源裁罰或強制安置，以阻絕可能的傳播。

台灣並提升實驗室檢驗量能，依疫情變化，逐步擴大監測採檢範圍，並回溯性採檢流感重症病人、社區上呼吸道監測個案、上呼吸道等群聚事件個案檢體檢驗結果為陰性者等高風險對象，找出可能病例，進行隔離治療。

同時，還指定50家區域及醫學中心、167家社區採檢院所，進行分級收治及採檢；另要求醫療院所設置專責病房或區域，以一人一室分艙分流原則收治隔離，避免院內感染。

台灣並於1月24日起管制醫療用口罩出口，同時徵用及擴充口罩生產量能，使國內口罩有效統籌運用；自2月6日推行健保卡實名制度，透過社區健保藥局及衛生所配發購買；3月12日起開放網路訂購、超商取貨，達到有限資源的最有效分配，確保醫療、防疫、民生與產業防備所需。

陳時中強調，疾病無國界，星星之火足以燎原，地方疫情控制不好，即可能造成全球大流行。維護全球衛生安全亟需全體人類共同努力，確保最佳量能因應公共衛生威脅與挑戰。

他指出，台灣雖非WHO會員，但無法獨善其身、置身於全球衛生安全之外，因此秉持世界公民責任，恪守國際衛生條例2005（IHR 2005）規範，主動向WHO通報確診病例，同時積極與日本、韓國、新加坡、馬來西亞、菲律賓、美國、加拿大、義大利、法國、瑞士、德國、英國、比利時、荷蘭等國及歐盟的疾病防治中心（CDC），分享交流武漢肺炎確診病例、接觸者旅遊史、邊境管制措施等資訊。

台灣也將病毒基因序列上傳「全球共享禽流感數據倡議組織（GISAID）」供各國查詢，共同因應此波新興傳染病毒威脅，確保全球衛生安全不再因缺乏溝通及透明度而產生致命盲點。

陳時中指出，「台灣需要WHO，WHO同樣需要台灣」，世界衛生組織本來就不該拒絕任何人，這是WHO的使命；但當前WHO受政治干擾把台灣排除在外，這是不智的。

他強調，台灣不論公衛經驗、醫療體系、健保體系、防疫上的快篩、疫苗、相關製藥能力和病毒分析能力，都可以跟世界分享。希望WHO經過這次疫情考驗後，可以認清疫情無國界，沒有一個地方可以被遺漏，任何地方遺漏都可能變成重大破口，任何地方的力量都不該被忽視，進而對世界貢獻。

陳時中籲請WHO及相關各方，注意台灣長期以來對全球公共衛生防疫以及健康人權之貢獻，堅定支持將台灣納入WHO，讓台灣完整參與WHO各項會議、機制及活動，與世界各國攜手，共同落實WHO憲章「健康是基本人權」及聯合國永續發展目標「不遺漏任何人」之願景。（編輯：張佑之）1090417

title: 加媒刊衛福部長陳時中專文  指WHO同樣需要台灣

things: 防疫 人權

countries: 台灣 英國 德國 比利時 法國 新加坡 日本 加拿大 美國 西班牙 中國 荷蘭 菲律賓 歐盟 義大利 瑞士 韓國 馬來西亞

events: 冠狀病毒 禽流感 COVID-19 武漢肺炎 死亡


content_text:
香港, 2020年4月17日 - (亞太商訊) - 中國領先的品牌加工水果產品銷售商及製造商天韵國際控股有限公司（「天韵國際」及其附屬公司統稱「集團」，股份代號:6836.HK）宣佈，本集團核數師羅兵咸永道會計師事務所已根據香港會計師公會(下稱「香港會計師公會」)頒佈的香港審計準則完成審核本集團截至二零一九年十二月三十一日止年度之未經審核年度業績，包括載於二零一九年度業績公告之本集團綜合財務狀況表、綜合全面收益表及相關附註所列數字。二零一九年度業績公告所載之截至二零一九年十二月三十一日止年度之年度業績維持不變。

二零一九年度業績公告所載有關本集團截至二零一九年十二月三十一日止年度之綜合財務狀況表、綜合全面收益表及相關附註所列數字已獲羅兵咸永道會計師事務所同意該等數字乃本年度本集團草擬之綜合財務報表（經由本公司董事會於二零二零年四月十七日批准）所呈列的數額。

董事會建議於二零二零年七月八日（記錄日期）向名列本公司股東名冊的本公司股東派 付截至二零一九年十二月三十一日止年度之末期股息每股 0.030 港元。經本公司股東於來屆股東週年大會（「二零二零年股東週年大會」）上批准後，本公司將於二零二零年七月二十九日或左右支付末期股息。本公司將寄發一份載有期末股息詳情及其他資料之通函予股東。

本公司預期在二零二零年四月三十日或之前公佈截至二零一九年十二月三十一日止年度之年報。

詳情請參閱公告連結：https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2020/0417/2020041701367_c.pdf

關於天韵國際控股有限公司 (股份代號﹕6836.HK)

天韵國際控股有限公司（「本公司」集團「統稱（及其附屬公司）」主要從事(i) 生產及銷售包裝於金屬罐、塑料杯，玻璃瓶及鋁箔袋的加工水果產品及(ii)新鮮水果買賣。加工水果產品以自家品牌及原廠委託製造代工方式出售。

集團致力於爲客戶提供健康安全的產品，作爲國內外資質認證最爲齊全的食品企業之一，時刻緊貼嚴 格的國際生產標準，並就生產設施、質量監控及管理獲授BRC(A)、IFS 食品（高級）、FDA、HALAL、 SC、KOSHER、BSCI 及ISO22000 認證，集團還通過多個英國及美國超市內部的食品生產標準審核。 同時，在國內，集團作爲「同綫、同標、同質」工程出口食品企業，供應國內市場和供應國際市場的產 品達到相同的品質水準。自2016 年起，集團自家品牌的優質加工水果產品繼續獲得市場的高度認可， 並獲國家級機構頒授「中國罐頭產品品質證明標志」的榮譽及資格，成為中國加工水果行業內能夠在其產品貼上「零添加防腐劑」標誌的首家水果加工商。

集團在2017 年分別被國際知名財經雜誌《福布斯》評選為福布斯中國百強潛力上市公司及成為山東省臨沂市榮獲「2017 年度臨沂市市長質量獎」榮譽的綜合食品生產銷售企業。集團全新自有研發的純水果休閒食品在2018 年也榮獲中國國家知識產權局頒發「發明專利證書」。

欲瞭解更多集團詳情，請瀏覽集團網站 www.tianyuninternational.com 或 https://v.douyin.com/v2de9w/

Copyright 2020 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved.

countries: 英國 香港 美國 中國

title: 天韵國際截至二零一九十二月三十一日止年度之年度業績最新情況


content_text: （中央社倫敦17日綜合外電報導）由於報導指武漢肺炎 治療用藥的初步試驗結果良好，同時美國白宮也公布了 恢復經濟活動的概略方針，美股今天開高。     美東時間上午10時7分，道瓊工業指數勁揚516.86 點或2.20%，來到24054.54點。     科技股那斯達克指數漲升120.47點或1.41%，來到 8652.83點。     標準普爾指數9時52分漲53.92點或1.93%，來到 2853.47點。（譯者：張佑之）...

title: 美經濟有望較快恢復 華爾街早盤勁揚


title: 武漢肺炎病毒對佗位來? 美國.中國相諍

countries: 美國 中國 澳洲

content_text:
針對武漢肺炎的源頭，有人講可能是武漢的華南海鮮市場，彼个市場到今也是關牢牢，毋過中國有超過九成的傳統市場，今是已經開始做生意矣。雖然講中國政府禁止賣活體動物，毋過，抑是有人咧賣。

武漢4月8號解封，傳統市場也重新開幕，即便官方、攤販們一天消毒好幾次，進出口加以管制並一律量體溫，希望營造出安全衛生的印象，但昔日熱絡已不復見。

根據中國官方媒體新華社報導，從3月22號起，全中國境內至少94%的傳統市場陸續恢復營運；而被認為是疫情爆發源頭的華南海鮮批發市場，仍然關閉。

國際媒體記者實地走訪，看攤販能否做到政府暫時禁止販售野生動物如狸貓、蛇、鹿等的規定，也的確沒見到禁令內的野生動物，但仍能看到活生生的龜、蛙、魚跟龍蝦，被抬出來販售待宰，而過去曾跟爆發嚴重疫情扯上關係的雞或哺乳類動物，倒是沒看到；記者也表示，到底有沒有人違規，沒有答案。

自疫情爆發以來，這些傳統市場幾乎跟病毒畫上等號，如今就算再度開門營業，也背負著臭名與難以擺脫的負面形象；澳洲總理莫里森就認為，中國這些現宰活禽的傳統市場還能重新營運，實在"不可思議"，美國白宮防疫團隊醫學專家佛西也表示，這樣的市場應該立即關閉。但中國官媒環球時報駁斥，認為這些說法是"先入為主"，並且"荒謬"。

記者黃韻玲 報導


things: 油價 經濟

countries: 美國 中國

title: OPEC砍原油需求預估 WTI油價摔10%跌破18美元

content_text:
（中央社紐約17日綜合外電報導）中國公布首季經濟出 現史上首見萎縮，加上石油輸出國家組織（OPEC）預估 原油需求將降至30年來最低水準，美國西德州中級原油 價格今天應聲重挫10%，跌破18美元，創18年來新低。

中國國家統計局今天公布，首季國內生產毛額（ GDP）較去年同期萎縮6.8%，是北京當局自1990年代初 期開始統計以來首見經濟負成長。這也反映出2019冠狀 病毒疾病（COVID-19，武漢肺炎）疫情引發的封城措施 對經濟帶來的傷害。

石油輸出國家組織昨天發布最新月度報告，將今年 全球每日原油需求預估大砍690萬桶，預期較去年減少 680萬桶。其中現行季每日需求將較去年同期萎縮達 1200萬桶，單單本月就銳減達2000萬桶。

石油輸出國家組織並預估，現行季全球對OPEC產油 的需求平均每日將不到2000萬桶，創1989年初以來最低 紀錄。

由於投資人擔憂原油市場供應過剩，也對疫情造成 的能源需求跌勢感到悲觀，今天紐約市場早盤，5月交 貨西德州中級原油（WTI）期貨價格重挫逾10%，報每桶 17.53美元，為2001年11月以來最低價位。（譯者：張 正芊/核稿：陳政一）1090417


content_text:
七大工業國集團領袖16號舉行視訊會議，同意採取一切必要措施，共同對抗疫情危機；同時也在會中呼籲世界衛生組織，針對疫情資訊缺乏透明度和長期管理不善，進行徹底改革。此外，日本政府為了防止疫情擴散，昨晚公布第二波「緊急事態宣言」，擴大到全國47個都道府縣。

日本首相安倍晉三，16號晚間宣布，原本針對7個都道府縣發布的「緊急事態宣言」，即日起擴大到全國，「我們將擴大4月7號宣布的緊急事態宣言，從7個都道府縣擴大到全國，實施時間不變，到5月6號。」

根據NHK統計，日本累計確診者將近9300人；安倍表示，考量北海道、岐阜縣和京都府的確診者增加，以及4月底到5月初，日本黃金週長假的人員移動，希望盡量減少人與人的接觸。也強調國難當頭，希望全國人民團結一致對抗疫情、度過難關。

安倍隨後也參加七大工業國集團G7領袖的視訊會議；七國領袖在會議中，同意採取一切必要措施，對抗當前疫情。與會的領袖也認知，G7國家每年向世界衛生組織WHO，提供超過10億美元資金，但WHO在疫情資訊缺乏透明度，且長期管理不善，呼籲對世衛進行徹底檢討與改革。

（圖／美聯社） 七大工業國之一的英國，過去24個小時，死亡人數增加861人，累計死亡13729人，高居全球第五；因此外交大臣拉布週四宣布，禁足令將延長至少三週。

至於全球疫情最嚴重的美國，重災區紐約州再添606死，不過新增死亡人數已經是10天來新低；即使疫情趨於穩定，但州長古莫仍然宣布，居家防疫延長到五月中，而且大眾交通工具的乘客和駕駛，都要配戴口罩，他說：「今天，包括大眾運輸系統、私人運輸車輛、出租車輛、任何公共運輸系統，甚至個人或受雇司機，都要全程配戴口罩。」

這項決定也表示，紐約州未來一個月，都無法讓經濟重新上軌道；美國為了防疫而犧牲經濟，過去四週已經有超過2200萬人申請失業給付，寫下近代最慘紀錄。

title: G7領袖視訊會議共抗疫 籲世衛檢討改革

countries: 英國 日本 美國

things: 防疫 經濟


title: 央行中小企業融通方案受理逾400件　擴大包辦小商家

content_text: 如果您繼續閱讀，視同您同意我們隱私條款。This website uses cookies to improve user experience. By clicking agree you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy..


content_text:
有關造成武漢肺炎的新型冠狀病毒起源爭議，美方認為中國應該儘快公佈，病毒是如何由位在武漢的國家生物安全實驗室外洩，但中方堅持一切跟武漢實驗室完全無關。

根據英國金融時報引述世界衛生組織的訊息，中國雖然早在今年1月12號就公佈了新冠病毒的基因序列，世衛組織也推估，病毒傳染給人類的時間，可能回溯到去年10月間，但中方科學家直到現在還在研究病毒的起源。

目前全世界有31所具備最高安全等級的生物實驗室，包括位在哈爾濱的獸醫研究所，以及這次成為各方焦點、設於湖北武漢市的國家生物安全實驗室，通稱為武漢P4實驗室或是武漢病毒研究所。而早在2018年初正式運作之前，中國就有相當多有關新型冠狀病毒的研究。也因此，美方儘管不再提出中方發動新冠病毒生化戰的說法，但仍舊認為中國既然是全球疫情最早爆發的地方，理應公開更多資訊。

美國國務卿龐佩奧說：「中國政府需要澄清並負起責任，說明疫情發展的始末情形，也需要解釋為何不能公開更多訊息。」

但中方仍堅持，對於疫情引爆沒有任何的責任。中國外交部發言人趙立堅表示：「我想提醒你注意的是，世衛組織負責人已經多次表示，沒有任何證據表明新冠病毒是在實驗室產生的。世界上很多知名醫學專家也都認為，所謂實驗室洩漏等說法毫無科學依據。」

目前中國武漢市的封城已經逐步放寬，美國的西方科學家認為，這意味著外界可以更方便地深入疫情引爆的第一現場。但如果中方遲遲不願開放相關訊息，或是允許外界科學家進行第一手了解，疫情發展源頭的相關線索，可能隨著時間的流逝而被遺忘甚至遭到銷毀。

countries: 中國 英國 美國

events: 新冠病毒 武漢肺炎 冠狀病毒

title: 新冠病毒起源何處 美方要中國說清楚


content_text:
美國總統川普宣佈「重啟國家經濟指導方針」，各州自主以三階段逐步重啟各項經濟措施，他強調這是根據專家驗證數據所制定。

美國總統川普發布三階段重啟經濟指南，各州在滿足檢疫標準、補充防疫裝備等多項條件下，可分階段解除各類經濟活動限制，採取措施的時間點與決定權，由各州長定奪。

川普表示：「據最新數據，我們的專家團隊，同意我們這場對抗病毒戰役可以開啟下一個陣線，開放不是一步全面到位，而是一步步小心謹慎前進。」

三階段均在保持社交距離規範下，先讓體育館、飯店、電影院等場所復業、接著開放學校及恢復旅行，最後開放弱勢群體民眾有限度恢復社交活動。白宮抗疫團隊醫學專家、美國國家過敏及傳染病研究所主任佛西補充說明，三階段如同多道檢查哨，依該州恢復情況再決定是否向前邁進，「如果(疫情)沒有復發跡象，便可採取第一階段措施再度檢視，你覺得滿意了才進入第二階段。」

美國有線電視新聞網CNN報導指出，川普本週稍早姿態強硬表示自己才有絕對權力主導重啟美國的經濟，如今改變態度，是因為共和跟民主兩黨州長等反對他的說辭。

things: 經濟 防疫

title: 重啟國家經濟 川普：三階段解除活動限制


countries: 日本 菲律賓 韓國

title: 日本疫情滾絞 緊急狀態範圍擴大到全國

content_text:
咱來看亞洲的疫情。日本宣佈緊急狀態的範圍變做全國。佇韓國也出現康復了後的患者，閣出現陽性的反應。菲律賓政府是拍算欲用較硬的手段來防疫

根據官方公佈的數據，韓國已經連續幾天新增確診病例維持在20多人，英文的韓國時報報導指出，衛生官員擔憂大選後病例增加數目可能升高，因而不敢大意。另外，路透社引用的資料顯示，目前已經有141名先前康復出院的患者，再度被篩檢出新冠病毒陽性反應。這些患者在復發之前，有沒有能力把病毒再傳給接觸過的其他人，讓防疫人員高度緊張。
 同一段期間，菲律賓的每日新增確診人數都超過200人，甚至直逼300人。同時，在首都馬尼拉封城1個月後，隔天15號星期三，街上就出現大批車輛。菲律賓總統杜特蒂因此揚言，要動員軍警以戒嚴的規格落實防疫規範。

在日本方面，針對一直無法平息的疫情，設於首相官邸的防疫對策本部，16號晚間由首相安倍晉三召開緊急會議。正式決定把緊急狀態的適用範圍，從先前的13個都道府縣，擴大到全國所有的47個地方行政區。安倍晉三呼籲民眾，除非必要，從即日起到5月6號為止的這段期間，務必待在家中不要出門，希望能降低七成到八成的人際接觸。

而就在同一時間，內閣府傳出第3起職員確診感染新冠病毒。日本NHK電視台的報導指出，這名50多歲的職員，從10號出現發生症狀後就沒有上班，也沒有接觸任何內閣大臣。

記者 徐家仁 報導


title: 今彩539第109093期 頭獎2注中獎

content_text: （中央社台北17日電）今彩539第109093期開獎，中獎 號碼36、33、16、25、15。派彩結果，頭獎2注中獎， 每注獎金新台幣800萬元。     貳獎139注中獎，每注獎金2萬元。     3星彩中獎號碼230，正彩33注中獎，每注獎金1萬 2500元。     4星彩中獎號碼4522，正彩3注中獎，每注獎金12萬 5000元。     實際中獎獎號及派彩內容，以台彩公司公布為準。 1090...


content_text:
美國總統川普，已經宣佈一份國家經濟重新閣再振動的指導方針，要求各州的政府，著愛開始分三階段，漸漸開放各項經濟的活動。本底川普總統是講，伊家己就有百分之百的權力，推動經濟閣再振動的方案，毋過兩黨，煞攏有地方的州長開聲反對，尾手伊才來改變態度。

美國總統川普發布三階段重啟經濟指南，各州在滿足檢疫標準、補充防疫裝備等多項條件下，可分階段解除各類經濟活動限制，採取措施的時間點與決定權，由各州長定奪。

三階段均在保持社交距離規範下，先讓體育館飯店飯店電影院等場所復業、接著開放學校及恢復旅行，最後開放弱勢群體民眾有限度恢復社交活動。白宮抗疫團隊醫學專家佛西補充說明，三階段如同多道檢查哨，依該州恢復情況，再決定是否向前邁進。

美國有線電視新聞網CNN報導指出，川普本週稍早姿態強硬表示自己才有絕對權力主導重啟美國的經濟，如今改變態度，是因為共和跟民主兩黨州長等反對他的說辭。

記者 黃韻玲 報導

title: 川普宣佈各州自主 分三階段解除經濟限制


taiwan-subdivisions: 高雄 高雄市

content_text:
Shineful Hot Pot Chain Shuts Down Without Notice|火鍋超市始祖 "祥富水產"無預警停業

The Shineful seafood supermarket and hot pot chain closed its headquarters and all 11 stores across Taiwan. Employees said they haven't received their year-end bonus and salary for March, not to mention any severance. Employees working in the headquarters said they received messages from the company, admitting the company is out of capital and apologized.

There are 11 Shineful seafood supermarket and hot pot restaurants around Taiwan. On the 16th, all 11 locations closed without notice. Many employees were not notified.
 In January, we were asked if any of us wanted to take unpaid leave.

We didn't get our year-end bonus in January. They kept saying we would get it the next month, and then the next month. We still haven't gotten it.

Employees say they haven't received their year-end bonus or salary for the month of March, and they were recently asked if they were willing to take unpaid leave. Suppliers say they have not been able to reach anyone at the chain's corporate headquarters in Kaohsiung.

(How long have they been acting weird?) They haven't. We didn't know anything was wrong until yesterday.
 We didn't know anything was up until we saw what their employees were posting online.

Some corporate headquarter employees received an apology text from an executive, who said the company is out of capital and must use its remaining cash to repay loans. The Kaohsiung City Labor Affairs Bureau is investigating.
 (The workers') fundamental labor rights must be protected. Owed wages and severance must be paid in full.

The bureau says the company will be fined if it doesn't pay its 300-plus workers owed wages and severance.

火鍋食材全放在冰箱裡，要吃什麼顧客自己拿取，祥富水產開創火鍋超市的消費方式，從2018年起，全台陸續展店11家，但16日晚上有員工傳出內部訊息，祥富水產無預警停業，而且未通知所有員工。

祥富水產員工表示：「甚至在一月的時候，公司就透過主管，口頭提問的方式，建議我們有沒有人員，想要休無薪假。」

祥富水產員工表示：「在一月的時候，我們就年終領不到，然後他就一個月延一個月，到現在我們也拿不到年終。」

員工表示，公司去年的年終獎金和三月薪水還沒發，也曾問過員工是否願意休無薪假，但沒料到驟然停業。位在高雄的總公司八阪餐飲，供應商聯絡不到人，也上門了解狀況。

祥富水產供應商表示：「（多久發現他們怪怪的？) 沒有，是昨天跳票才知道的。」

祥富水產供應商表示：「也是從網路看到，他員工貼出來的消息，我們才來看的。」

總公司關門，員工從內部拿到高階主管的道歉訊息，指出公司已經燒盡資金，儘剩現金必須拿去還融資公司。勞工局表示，正派員入場了解。

高雄市勞工局主祕 皮忠謀表示：「最基本的勞動權益要保障到，比方說應該給付的工資，如果說是他就此歇業的話，針對所謂的資遣費，也應該要全部拿來做給付。」

八阪有300多名員工，勞工局表示，業者欠薪加上大量解僱，將逐一開罰，希望業者盡快出面。


title: 川普宣佈各州自主 分三階段解除經濟限制

content_text:
美國總統川普佇16宣佈重新啟動國家經濟指導方針，美國各州家己分做三階段，重新啟動各項經濟措施，伊強調這是根據專家所算出來的數據所制定的，這也佮伊日前強硬的態度，有真大的轉變

美國總統川普發布三階段重啟經濟指南，各州在滿足檢疫標準、補充防疫裝備等多項條件下，可分階段解除各類經濟活動限制，採取措施的時間點與決定權，由各州長定奪。

三階段均在保持社交距離規範下，先讓體育館飯店飯店電影院等場所復業、接著開放學校及恢復旅行，最後開放弱勢群體民眾有限度恢復社交活動。白宮抗疫團隊醫學專家佛西補充說明，三階段如同多道檢查哨，依該州恢復情況，再決定是否向前邁進。

美國有線電視新聞網CNN報導指出，川普本週稍早姿態強硬表示自己才有絕對權力主導重啟美國的經濟，如今改變態度，是因為共和跟民主兩黨州長等反對他的說辭。

記者 黃韻玲 報導


content_text:
國內一週出現兩次、單日無新增確診病例，全台武漢肺炎確診人數維持在395例，有6人死亡，疫情指揮中心表示，這代表台灣邊境守得越來越好。不過國內有醫師憂心，國內確診患者當中，有21例屬於無症狀感染者，而且多數具有傳染力，潛藏在社區的未確診者可能更多，因此呼籲民眾不能鬆懈，一定要戴好口罩，才能將傳播風險降到最低。

台灣兒童感染症醫學會理事長李秉穎表示：「如果有飛沫傳來的時候，不管你的社交距離是多近，戴口罩都會有很大的防護作用。」

由於疫情持續延燒，國人口罩需求量也大，口罩實名制上路兩個多月，健保特約藥局在調劑、販售藥品之外，還得協助包裝販售口罩，讓不少藥師抱怨人力吃緊，近期在推動網路預購口罩措施後，食藥署打算讓藥局從19號、本週日起，藥局可以休息、不販售口罩。

對此民眾表示：「我現在都網路上買比較多了，就不太去藥局現場排了。」、「一個禮拜休一天，我想應該很合理，那其他六天的時間你可以安排時間，每一天都可以來買。」

中央流行疫情指揮中心發言人莊人祥說：「有關這個藥局在週日是否販賣(口罩)的部分，那目前還在研議中，下午記者會會說明。」

食藥署表示，目前規劃週日停止配送口罩，但藥局仍可自行決定是否開業、或販售剩餘的口罩，不過指揮中心強調，此事仍在研議中，預計下午記者會、統一公告。

events: 死亡 武漢肺炎

title: 「零確診」仍需注意 無症狀感染者有21例


content_text:
Taoyuan Int'l Airport Closes 20 Boarding Gates|桃機宣布 從今午起關閉20個登機門

COVID-19 has paralyzed the global aviation industry. On April 14, the number of people entering Taiwan through Taoyuan International Airport was zero, a new record low. Taoyuan International Airport Corporation also closed 20 boarding gates on April 17.

There are no passengers in the terminal. The only people around are ground staff and cleaning personnel. On April 14, the number of outbound passengers at Taoyuan International Airport was only 669, a new low. Flights were also canceled, and not a single person arrived at Terminal 1 on that day. To reduce operating costs, Taoyuan International Airport Corporation decided to close 20 boarding gates at noon on April 17. They are Terminal 1's A1 through A5 and B1 through B5 gates, as well as Terminal 2's C6 through C10 and D6 through D10 gates.

I don't think there is a need to close the terminal, because having the entire terminal open will allow people to spread out, which will be safer.

(Closing boarding gates) is of course the best course of action. This might also be better for inspection purposes.
 These 20 gates are located at the extremities of the terminals. The Ministry of Transportation and Communications says the closures won't affect the current passenger volume.

We considered closing one terminal, but that might have affected a lot of facilities that are still functioning and the working environment of the people who work there. So we did what we could do first, which is close 20 boarding gates.

In related news, Taoyuan International Airport Corporation has closed 30 prayer rooms, Internet kiosks, and rest areas in both terminals, as well as 48 stores. Businesses say they will transfer employees to other stores or reinforce on-the-job training. At present, the food courts inside the restricted areas are still open, but right now their only customers are airport staff. There are plans to add taxes to duty free products and then begin selling them outside the restricted area in order to relieve the financial pressure.

The airport is one of the worst economically-affected areas in the country. The number of passengers currently stands at 1 percent compared to the same period in other years. Revenues have fallen to virtually zero. However, we have to continue operating some public service facilities and commercial shops because we have been entrusted to do so by the government. This responsibility is pretty heavy.

The airport is closing over half of its boarding gates, and this is the biggest challenge it has faced since it opened. The MOTC says it will use this opportunity to order operators to prepare facilities such as runways. With regards to the postponed Terminal 3 construction project, the ministry says it has discovered the funding is insufficient and it has notified the Executive Yuan to ask for more money. If the Executive Yuan approves additional funding, it will invite bids before year-end.

航廈大廳空空蕩蕩，放眼望去，只有地勤與清潔人員，桃園機場在14日出現出境總人數只有669人的新低紀錄。更因為航班調度、有些班次取消，當天一航廈入境人數掛0，為節省營運成本，機場公司宣布17日中午十二點起，將關閉一航廈A1到A5，以及B1-B5，還有第二航廈C6到C10，D6-D10，共20個登機門。

民眾表示：「我覺得沒有必要關閉航廈，因為可以把人流分散開來，這樣子會比較安全。」

民眾表示：「（把登機門關掉？) 當然是最好，這樣子，可能在檢疫的部分來說的話，也會比較妥當一些。」

這20處登機門分別位於二座航廈末端，交通部表示，不影響目前運量所需。

交通部長 林佳龍表示：「是不是能夠集中關閉一個航廈，因為涉及到，很多現在還有在發揮功能的這些設備，可能也會影響，所有在裡面工作同仁的環境，所以我們就先可以做的登機門的部分，先關閉二十個。」

另外，機場公司也關閉了一、二航廈公共區域關祈禱室、上網區、景觀休憩區共30處，商店則關閉48家，業者表示，會將員工調派到其他商場服務，或是加強在職訓練，目前管制區內美食街仍照常營業，但現在幾乎只服務機場員工，為降低庫存壓力，業者將免稅商品補稅後移到管制區外銷售，繼續苦撐。

桃機產業發展協會常務理事 詹成吉表示：「機場是一個全國最嚴重的經濟受災區，這裡的旅客比同期不到1%，我們的收入接近於零，可是我們卻在這裡承擔了，政府所要承擔、要委託給我們經營的，無論是就一些公共服務的設施，商業這些經營的店面，那這樣的壓力，其實滿重的。」

桃園機場這次將關閉超過一半登機門，是營運史上以來最嚴峻挑戰，交通部表示將趁此機會，要求業者進行跑道等設施整備，至於第三航廈工程持續延宕，交通部也透露，日前評估主體航廈經費不足，已經向行政院提報，爭取追加預算，若是順利核定，預計在今年底對外招標。


countries: 中華民國 台灣

content_text:
Prosecutors Investigating Infected American Couple|旅美夫妻有症狀後搭機返台? 檢方查辦

A couple living in the US already ill with COVID-19 were recently allowed to enter Taiwan. The Taoyuan District Prosecutors Office has opened an investigation to find out whether there is any criminal liability.

A husband and wife that had lived in the US for 30 years became, respectively, Taiwan's 384th and 393rd cases of COVID-19. They already had symptoms when they boarded their flight and entered Taiwan, and all other passengers and the entire flight crew now have to be in quarantine because of them. The Taoyuan District Prosecutors Office is investigating.

They may have violated Article 13 of the Special Act for Prevention, Relief and Revitalization Measures for Severe Pneumonia with Novel Pathogens, which specifies punishment for individuals suffering from or suspected of suffering from severe pneumonia with novel pathogens that fail to abide by the instructions of competent health authorities of any level and thus are at risk of infecting others. Our office has already formed a task force and launched an investigation that is being overseen by a chief prosecutor.

Prosecutors say if the two traveled while knowing or suspecting they had COVID-19, they face up to two years in prison and fines of NT$200,000 to 2 million.

Our country allows our citizens -- regardless of where they live, they can return to Taiwan if they are ROC citizens. There are no travel restrictions on them.

One public health expert says everyone trusts Taiwan's medical system and it is only natural for people to want to go where they can get the most ideal and safest treatment during a pandemic or when they are sick. The expert also says a united front, mutual trust, self-regulation, compliance with regulations and empathy are needed to help infected people accept quarantine and treatment.

一對旅美30年的夫妻，日前返台先後確診，案384、案393，是在出現症狀後才搭機入境返台，導致同機機組員和乘客須實施居家隔離，引發各界議論，擔心造成防疫漏洞，桃園地檢署立案偵辦。

桃園地檢署襄閱主任檢察官 林秀敏表示：「可能涉及到，違反嚴重特殊傳染性肺炎特別條例，第13條，不遵行主管機關指示，而有傳染於他人之虞罪之罪。本署已經啟動處理小組，並且指派主任檢察官來調查。」

桃園地檢署表示，如果明知罹患或疑似罹患武漢肺炎，不遵行衛生主管機關指示，有傳染他人之虞者，最重可處二年有期徒刑、拘役或20萬到200萬元罰金。

台大公共衛生學院院長 詹長權表示：「我們國家是允許我們國人，他不管在世界各地，他是中華民國國籍，可以回到台灣，他的旅行是不受限制的。」

公衛專家表示，疫情爆發或生病時，所有人都會想找最理想、安心的地方治療，這是人性，也表示台灣醫療受到信任。疫病防治過程，團結很重要，彼此要互信，個人要自律，遵守防疫規範，而大眾也要有同理心，讓罹病者安心接受隔離治療。


title: 歐洲超過百萬人致病 占全世界確診數一半

countries: 義大利 歐盟

content_text:
雖然講歐洲有一寡國家開始欲共封城措施沓沓仔放冗，毋過世界衛生組織WHO警告，歐洲的疫情也是真嚴重，總病例已經超過1百萬人，欲占全世界的一半矣。歐盟官方佇16，針對無佇疫情爆發的初期，來共意大利支援，也頭擺來共in會失禮，毋過義大利的疫情，到今也是真嚴重。

儘管部分歐洲國家開始放寬封城措施，但世界衛生組織WHO警告，歐洲疫情依舊嚴峻，總確診人數超過百萬，佔了將近全球半數，累計超過9萬人死亡。

重災區之一的義大利，過去24小時新增525例死亡，雖然是近4天最少，不過距離疫情高峰已過一個月，卻遲遲還沒有顯著的趨緩跡象。義大利總確診人數逼近17萬例，累計病故人數也超過2萬人。由於歐盟在一開始並未及時給予醫療物資，甚至其他會員國拒絕分攤醫療成本等，引起義大利人的廣大不滿，歐盟執委會主席也在16號首度正式道歉。

記者 林孝儒 報導


content_text:
美國時代雜誌找來曾入選百大影響力的人物，撰寫對這次武漢肺炎疫情的建言，總統蔡英文也被受邀，分享台灣抗疫的成功經驗，現在美國暫停對WHO的金援，美國眾議員更聯合致函給總統川普，要求除非秘書長譚德塞下台，才能恢復金援。

總統蔡英文接受美國時代雜誌邀請，撰寫文章分享台灣是如何預防武漢肺炎疫情大爆發，原本時代雜誌每年4月都會公布全球百大影響力人物，這次受到疫情影響決定延後，但找來曾入選百大人物的名人提供建言，包括安潔莉娜裘莉，達賴喇嘛也在其中，蔡總統在文章中提到台灣防疫成功的最大原因在於團結，台灣也願意協助國際社會。

總統府發言人丁允恭表示：「總統也特別提到說，台灣雖然是面臨這樣的不利處境，我們沒有辦法參加WHO跟聯合國等國際組織，可是台灣有優秀的製造醫藥以及科技的實力，能夠為世界做出貢獻。」

近來台灣透過各種管道不斷向國際發聲，尤其是WHO不該排除台灣，現在美國總統川普已經宣布要暫停金援WHO。美國國會也是動作不斷，除了要求辦聽證會來調查，16號眾議院外委會共和黨首席議員麥考爾，更領銜16名眾議員，聯合致函給川普，表達支持暫停金援的決定，更呼籲除非秘書長譚德塞下台，才會恢復對世衛的援助。

美國眾議員麥考爾直言：「他說因為一中原則排除台灣，不讓台灣加入WHO，我們對於世衛組織沒有任何信心，如果譚德賽還是領導階層的話。」麥考爾受訪時也怒批譚德塞親中，WHO隱匿疫情更不該排除台灣。 我駐亞特蘭大辦事處副處長洪中明則投書亞特蘭大環球新聞報，呼籲邀請台灣參與世衛，報刊編輯引述專家意見指出，如果台灣是世衛成員，世界能更早得知武漢肺炎具傳染性，對台灣防疫表示肯定，就連CNN報導抗疫有功的國家時，台灣就是其一。

title: 蔡英文撰文登時代雜誌 分享台灣抗疫經驗

people: 蔡英文 川普 洪中

countries: 台灣 美國


content_text: ซีรีส์วายเรื่อง "เพราะเราคู่กัน" เป็นประเด็นดราม่าไทย-จีนที่ถูกพูดถึงเป็นอย่างมาก เหตุจากนักแสดงชายเคยกดไลค์ข้อความเกี่ยวกับ โรคโควิด-19 และโพสของแฟนสาวเมื่อ2 ปีที่ถูกขุดขึ้น เพราะเขียนว่า"สไตล์สาวไต้หวัน" ทำให้เกิดเป็นศึกโซเชียลไทย-จีน เกิดแฮชแท็กและติดเทรนด์ทวิตเตอร์ ชาวเน็ตจีนโจมตีว่าเมืองไทยไม่มีประวัติศาสตร์ ชาวเน็ตไทยกลับใช้มุขตลกในการโต้ตอบ อีกทั้งโต้กลับว่าฮ่องกงและไต้หวันเป็นประเทศ จนผุดแฮชแท็ก"ชานมข้นกว่าเลือด" ศึกโซเชียลระหว่างชาวเน็ตไทย-จีน กลายเป็นประเด็นที่ทุกคนให้ความสนใจ สถานทูตจีนประจำไทย ได้แถลงการณ์ผ่านเฟสบุ๊คระบุว่า ความคิดเห็นบนโลกออนไลน์ไม่อาจแสดงถึงจุดยืนของรัฐบาลไทยและความคิดเห็นกระแสหลักได้ โพสดังกล่าวถูกชาวฮ่องกงและไต้หวันโต้กลับ โดยยืนยันว่าจะเรียกโรคโควิด-19ว่า โรคปอดอักเสบอู่ฮั่นต่อไป นักวิชาการไทยได้วิเคราะห์ศึกโซเชียลครั้งนี้ว่า ได้ก้าวข้ามกรอบแนวคิดชาตินิยมที่รัฐบาลสร้างขึ้น สื่อรายงานว่า ชาวเน็ตไทยใช้วิธีการตอบโต้อย่างชาญฉลาด ถูกเปรียบว่าเป็นประเทศเล็กเอาชนะพญามังกรได้ นักวิชาการวิเคราะห์ "จีนไทย พี่น้องกัน"เป็นแนวคิดสมัยก่อน ซึ่งนโยบาย One Belt One Road ของจีน ให้ความสำคัญเพียงความสัมพันธ์ระหว่างรัฐบาล แต่ไม่เข้าใจการปะทะคารมระหว่างชาวเน็ต ชาวเน็ตจีนแสดงความคิดเห็นเสมือนอยู่ในฐานะที่เหนือกว่าชาวเน็ตไทย กลายเป็นการระบายอารมณ์ของชาวเน็ตไทย นักวิชาการชี้ว่า จีนได้สร้างเขื่อนกั้นแม่น้ำโขงตอนบน ส่งผลกระทบต่อชีวิตของผู้คนที่อาศัยอยู่ริมน้ำโขง เมืองไทยได้รับผลกระทบหนัก บวกกับทัศนคติเชิงลบที่มีต่อนักลงทุนและนักท่องเที่ยวชาวจีน ความไม่พอใจของชาวไทยถูกสะสม จึงใช้โอกาสของโรคระบาดนี้กระทบแนวคิดไทย-จีน เป็นพี่น้องกัน แปลและเรียบเรียง // สุชาวดี จะพือ

title: เกิดศึกดราม่าชาวเน็ตไทย-จีน จากไลค์เดียว


content_text: （中央社台北17日電）雙贏彩第109093期今晚開獎，中 獎號碼為9、7、15、2、12、14、10、16、20、24、18 、17。派彩結果，頭獎、貳獎都摃龜。     派彩結果及中獎獎號以台彩公布為準。1090417...

title: 雙贏彩第109093期頭獎摃龜


content_text:
【鉅亨網編譯許家華】

Netflix (NFLX-US) 週四上漲近 3%，接近紀錄高點，該公司下週二盤後將發布第一季財報，在此之前分析師調整其模組和目標價。

Netflix 第一季財測 vs. 華爾街預期

營收：57 億美元 vs. 57.4 億美元 EPS：1.66 美元 vs. 1.64 美元新增訂閱戶：700 萬人但華爾街焦點放在第一季新增訂閱人數以及第二季的財測。

最近幾週因全球防疫，居家人數暴增，Netflix 觀眾人數和串流時數必然大增，因其同業也佳績頻傳。迪士尼 (DIS-US) Disney + 訂閱戶大增、Roku 第一季串流時數較去年大增 49%，因此串流媒體龍頭 Netflix 萬眾矚目的財報更受高度期待。

Netflix 今年迄今股價上漲 37%，自上週以來上漲近 20%，市值接近 2000 億美元，超越迪士尼和 Comcast (CMCSA-US)，成為美國市值最高的娛樂公司。

摩根士丹利分析師 Benjamin Swinburne 週四重申「加碼」評級，並將其目標價自 400 美元提高到 440 美元，他認為這道居家防疫令下，沒有哪家企業受惠程度高於 Netflix。

Swinburne 估計該公司今年前 2 季用戶人數淨增 1400 萬人，較先前估計的 1170 萬人增加。「今年全球廣告衰退可能會鞏固 Netflix 的領導地位，並增加其產生的回報，因為和 Netflix 搶觀眾時間的是全球廣播公司，但這些競爭者面臨廣告營收 10%-20% 的下降，可能必須削減對內容的投資。」

「牛市已經結束，但 Netflix 的領先優勢完好無損，甚至到無法逾越的境地。」

摩根大通分析師 Doug Anmuth 也重申其「加碼」評級，並將目標價自 440 美元調升至 480 美元。

「Netflix 是居家令顯而易見的受益者，但更重要的是，我們相信這加速了隨選串流媒體的長期轉變。」Anmuth 將其第一季新增訂閱人數估計自 750 萬人上修至 880 萬人。

悲觀分析師也上修 Netflix 的目標價

Evercore ISI 分析師 Vijay Jayant 維持其「持平」評級，但他將目標價自 300 美元提高至 350 美元。

「Netflix 顯然已是互聯網電視內的贏家，且未來有大量長期成長，但網路電視業務模式仍存有長期獲利性的諸多問題，因此我們的結論是：在目前的水準上，Netflix 股價看起來處於最佳平衡狀態。」但他認為本季新增訂閱人數達 950 萬人，遠高於預期，全年估計新增訂閱人數 2900 萬人。

Wedbush 分析師 Michael Pachter 仍是 Netflix 大空頭，依舊堅持「遜於大盤」的評級，但即使如此他仍將目標價自 173 美元調升至 194 美元。

「我們認為 Netflix 的估值是沒有根據的。我們預期該公司未來會為了維持訂閱人數的成長速度，繼續增加行銷和內容支出，儘管現在礙於新冠肺炎大流行，該公司無法創造新內容，因此自由現金流獲得短暫提升，但我們預計該公司會用以競購現有的授權內容，而缺乏新內容可能導致今年下半年用戶流失率提升。」

title: 大空頭也看漲！華爾街聚焦Netflix Q1新增訂閱人數


content_text:
臺灣健保世界通人呵咾。佇英國的國民保健署NHS，in也有親像臺灣的健保制度，有一个99歲的退休軍官，為著欲感謝NHS共伊照顧規世人，伊也發起佇伊月底1百歲生日進前，佇厝內的院仔行一百逝，替NHS募款。最後也募著一千七百外萬英鎊。

高齡99歲的英國退休軍官湯姆摩爾上尉，扶著助行器在自家25公尺長的院子，來回走一百趟預備達陣的這一天，他年輕時服務的軍團後輩，在現場擺出了軍禮要向他致敬，英國各家媒體也派出了記者前往直播。

眼見疫情流行，在前線抗疫的NHS艱苦奮戰，摩爾上尉為了向照顧他一輩子的NHS表達謝意，發起了要在月底百歲生日之前，在自家院子來回走一百趟為NHS募款的心願。

他自訂的目標是一千英鎊，沒想到消息曝光之後，捐款網頁的數字每天都不斷向上攀升，吸引了包括劍橋公爵威廉在內八十萬人捐款，總金額超過一千七百萬英鎊。16號摩爾上尉步行一百趟達標的那一刻，募款網站一度還因為流量爆多而當機。

摩爾上尉感謝在他罹患癌症與臀部摔傷時，NHS醫護細心的照料讓他恢復健康，他所募得的這筆錢將全數捐給NHS旗下的慈善單位，創下了單一最大筆捐款金額的紀錄。社會各界人士更是紛紛對摩爾上尉致敬，一個建議給他封爵的請願活動，已經有超過三十萬人簽名連署。

記者 王蕙文 報導

title: 感謝國健署照顧 英國99歲退休軍官發起募款

countries: 英國 臺灣


content_text:
扶輪基金會匯集全球扶輪人捐獻的愛心捐款，提供地區獎助金以及全球獎助金，實現團結合作世界一家的願景。為了改善偏鄉原住民所處的弱勢醫療，扶輪社捐贈新竹馬偕醫院醫療儀器包含心電圖機等醫療儀器，希望能為醫療人員加添診斷利器，翻轉心血管疾病與慢性肝炎對偏鄉原住民的生命威脅，為提升偏鄉醫療品質盡一份心力。

台北珍愛扶輪社計畫主持人劉美華表示，五峰鄉是新竹縣面積最遼闊的原住民鄉鎮之一，但因地處偏僻，聯外道路僅靠蜿蜒的竹60縣道通行，路況極為險峻崎嶇，再加上高山林立，海拔超過1500公尺，山上居民倘若身體不適需要就醫往往需數小時才能抵市區醫院，為了改善偏鄉原住民所處的弱勢醫療，此次扶輪社所捐贈的醫療儀器包含心電圖機【迅速確診急性心臟症狀，立即安排送醫治療，挽救生命】、手持式腹部超音波機【即時篩檢出B肝、C肝、脂肪肝】、手持式數位眼底攝影機【篩檢高血壓、高血糖之視網膜病變】、數位式耳鏡【高解析度兼具優良的影像品質及輕巧可攜的特色，提升醫療診斷品質】，希望能為醫療人員加添診斷利器，翻轉心血管疾病與慢性肝炎對偏鄉原住民的生命威脅，為提升偏鄉醫療品質盡一份心力。

新竹馬偕紀念醫院自2002年創院以來，就以投入最多醫療資源在竹苗偏遠地區為願景，秉著「哪裡有需要就往哪裡去」的精神，多年來不畏風雨，再惡劣的天氣也看得到醫療團隊的身影。提供定點「桃山醫療站」平日24小時的醫療服務。假日則由各科專科醫師上山提供10個巡迴點的醫療服務，提供醫療照護時時不打烊。

依據衛生福利部統計資料顯示，偏鄉原住民與全體國民平均餘命有將近8-10歲之差距，心血管疾病，死亡率高於平地居民兩倍；肝炎肝硬化更是平地居民的四倍多，一個壯年生命的消逝，代表一個家庭的破碎。新竹馬偕醫院院長蘇聰賢表示，感謝台北市珍愛扶輪社看見五峰鄉的需要，帶著扶輪的愛進來，幫助新竹馬偕在偏鄉醫療服務上可以做得更多、更好。醫療站的醫療設備更完整、醫療人員在工作上也能事半功倍，共同用愛守護五峰鄉居民的健康。

title: 讓愛不停「輪」轉　珍愛扶輪社捐贈新竹偏鄉數位醫療儀器

taiwan-subdivisions: 新竹 五峰 新竹縣 山上


content_text:
Taitung Has to Send COVID-19 Tests to Hualien for Analysis|台東缺醫療資源 篩檢須送花蓮耗時1-2日

There is a disparity between COVID-19 testing in cities and the countryside. Taitung County has no equipment to analyze tests, and therefore it must send all tests to Kaohsiung or Hualien for analysis. The amount of time it takes to receive results is also longer compared to other areas. The Ministry of Health and Welfare has therefore agreed to lend two test analyzers to the county.

Taitung County has long suffered from a lack of medical resources, a situation that has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 outbreak. It does not have facilities to analyze tests, and must send them to Hualien for analysis. The length of time it takes to get a result is one to two days, which is hard on the mental state of the people tested. At present, the county currently has 300 people undergoing home quarantine and 11 under isolation. It has sent 151 tests to Hualien for analysis.

The amount of time you have to wait is lengthened, which is of course detrimental to disease prevention.
 I suggest using this epidemic situation to establish these kinds of facilities in Taitung.

The county government and elected representatives have managed to get the Ministry of Health and Welfare to agree to lend two test analyzers. They will be set up at Taitung Hospital and Mackay Memorial Hospital Taitung Branch. However, they won't be available for use until they are set up next week.

Taitung Hospital and Mackay Memorial Hospital sent personnel to Taipei yesterday to undergo training.
 The county government says the majority of tests for infectious diseases must be sent to Hualien for analysis, and Taitung really needs this type of equipment as it is better to be able to identify infectious diseases as early as possible.

台東縣醫療資源長期缺乏，這次新冠肺炎疫情，更是缺少檢驗設備，要篩檢需要送到花蓮，路途遙遠，等待結果通常要一到兩天，累計到目前為止，台東縣共有3百多人居家檢疫，11人被隔離，共送出151件檢體到花蓮檢驗，受檢對象等待的煎熬心情，比起西部地區還要漫長。

台東縣醫師公會理事長 朱建銘表示：「變成說，你在這個等待的過程，時間上要拖長，當然對我防疫，是比較不利。」

台東縣議員 林威志表示：「建議可以利用這次疫情的機會，在台東確立、設立這樣的機構。」

經過縣府和中央民代的爭取，衛福部已經同意借用兩套檢驗設備，分別放在部立台東醫院和台東馬偕醫院，不過還要等到下週組裝好才能上線使用。

台東縣衛生局長 黃明恩表示：「目前這個部東(台東醫院)跟馬偕，已經有派人，昨天說去台北那邊去受訓了。」

黃明恩說，其實台東大部分的法定傳染病篩檢也需要送到花蓮，以長期考量，台東縣真的需要有這種高端設備，檢驗各種傳染病即早做好防疫。


content_text:
（中央社記者韓婷婷台北17日電）永信控股副總經理簡 志維表示，目前集團在美、中兩大市場皆有生產及銷售 一條龍工廠及公司，將持續強化生產在地化，以因應美 中貿易戰及疫情衝擊，未來也將積極擴展歐洲市場。

永信控股今天參加交易所舉行的線上法說會，簡志 維指出，永信集團主要策略為極大化產業價值鏈，透過 垂直整合和水平擴張強化集團競爭力，在原料藥、製劑 、消費性用品及動物用藥四大事業體發展。持續專注消 化道、疼痛、高致敏與抗癌藥發展，整合美國及中國研 發、生產、註冊，取得中國一次性評價優勢和進入美國 市場。

2019冠狀病毒疾病（COVID-19，武漢肺炎）肆虐全 球，簡志維表示，近來面臨最大問題是國際上各個國家 採取邊境管理或封城，這會遇到2大問題，第1是原料不 能進口、供應中斷，2是產品外銷運輸受阻。

他舉例最近就遇到台灣產品出口到菲律賓運輸受阻 ；馬來西亞廠要出口到非洲時，馬來西亞政府甚至提出 ，如果無法確保國家供應無虞，不允許出口，必須要申 請特別批文才能順利輸出。運輸中斷及運輸成本的增加 都是痛點。

簡志維表示，集團有9個橫跨美、中、日、台及南 亞的製造及營運基地，為了因應疫情衝擊，集團成立防 疫資訊分享平台，即時應變，進行風控管理，盤點重要 原料的庫存並提高庫存管理措施，同時進行跨公司物料 、運輸作法分享，確保產、銷供應鏈順暢。 （編輯：鄭雪文）1090417

countries: 台灣 菲律賓 中國 美國 馬來西亞

events: 冠狀病毒 武漢肺炎 COVID-19

title: 永信：因應貿易戰及疫情 強化生產在地化


content_text:
世界出名的美國Time時代雜誌，邀請過去，捌予in列做上蓋有影響力一百名內遮的人物，針對「武漢肺炎」的情形發表文章，抑蔡英文總統也有接著邀請在內。／總統的文章是提起臺灣怎樣對抗病症，閣講世界衛生組織WHO，無應該排斥咱，抑美國國會遮，今嘛有16个眾議員，徛名要求川普總統講，若WHO的祕書長無換人，美國就袂使閣開放欲贊助in。

總統蔡英文接受美國時代雜誌邀請，撰寫文章分享台灣是如何預防武漢肺炎疫情大爆發，原本時代雜誌每年4月都會公布全球百大影響力人物，這次受到疫情影響決定延後，但找來曾入選百大人物的名人提供建言，包括安潔莉娜裘莉，達賴喇嘛也在其中，蔡總統在文章中提到台灣防疫成功的最大原因在於團結，台灣也願意協助國際社會。

近來台灣透過各種管道不斷向國際發聲，尤其是WHO不該排除台灣，現在美國總統川普已經宣布要暫停金援WHO，美國國會也是動作不斷，除了要求辦聽證會來調查，16號眾議院外委會共和黨首席議員麥考爾，更領銜16名眾議員，聯合致函給川普，表達支持暫停金援的決定，更呼籲除非秘書長譚德塞下台，才會恢復對世衛的援助。

麥考爾受訪時也怒批譚德塞親中，WHO隱匿疫情更不該排除台灣，我駐亞特蘭大辦事處副處長洪中明則投書亞特蘭大環球新聞報，呼籲邀請台灣參與世衛，報刊編輯引述專家意見指出，如果台灣是世衛成員，世界能更早得知武漢肺炎具傳染性，對台灣防疫表示肯定，就連CNN報導抗疫有功的國家時，台灣就是其一。

記者 韓瑩 吳嘉堡 台北報導

title: 時代雜誌邀請蔡總統寫文章 分享抗疫經驗

countries: 臺灣 台灣 美國

people: 川普 蔡英文 洪中


title: 更正與說明

content_text:
原標題：更正與說明

【文字更正】

4月17日新媒體稿件《真正要反省的是，「回歸中國」式爽文為何屢試不爽？》（編輯：孟然 校對：何燕）正文第八段中「實際上折射了出的是褊狹的『鍵盤民族主義』。」應刪去其中的「了」字。

【啟事】

為回饋讀者，本報常年推出「讀者有獎挑錯」活動，每季度按挑錯量發放挑錯獎金（挑錯範圍包括報紙和手機APP），歡迎踴躍參與。

本報謹就以上錯誤和疏漏向讀者和相關單位、人士致歉。

挑錯熱線：010-67106710

欄目編輯：鄭厚今


content_text:
原標題：援鄂護士求入編，同意與否都要把理「說透」

■ 來論

「我現在的工資是1700元，對於一個家庭來說我在艱難地支撐著，望領導重視，不要讓我們寒心，國家有難有我們，我們有難無人幫。」近日，有自稱「援鄂醫療隊護士」的網友在甘肅省衛健委官網「領導信箱」留言，希望官方能解決自己的編製。此外，也有多位網友留言反饋這類問題，而提到的工資有的是1200元、有的是1300元。

甘肅省衛健委對此回復稱，醫院編製是各級政府相關職能部門主管，建議向蘭州市衛健委反映情況。

在網上，對這些臨聘護士的訴求，大多數網友都表示支持，認為「求入編」很難說是「邀功請賞」，也無關道德綁架，而更重要的是工資待遇差別過大，以至於難以支撐生活。

其實給援鄂護士入編，在其他地方已有先例。3月12日前後，當地援鄂醫護還在湖北前線戰「疫」，珠海方面就為當地19名援鄂醫護人員「火線」入編。貴州、海南、廣東、河北等省份多個市州專門開闢了入編「綠色通道」，甘肅省武威市也提出在此方面對援鄂醫護人員進行傾斜。

3月初，人社部印發的相關人事工作指南就提到，「在疫情防控一線工作的醫務人員，優先晉陞職稱或專業技術崗位等級」「及時獎勵要聚焦疫情防控期間工作表現，突出符合獎勵條件和群眾公認，不設比例（名額）限制」。

有上級文件和外地做法在先，蘭州這名護士的入編訴求能否得到呼應，難免受到輿論關注。

當然，醫院編製內外的待遇落差長期存在，背後有著複雜的歷史原因，還涉及醫療衛生領域改革，確非某部門一句話就能解決，相關部門的謹慎也可理解。但無論是嚴格執行入編規定、審慎入編，還是努力推動「破格入編」，對於這批援鄂護士的入編訴求，當地都宜予以重視，儘快給出解決方案，同意與否都要把道理「說透」，讓人信服。

接下來，問題的根本解決仍仰賴於醫療衛生機構的改革，從身份管理向崗位管理轉變，實現同工同酬同福利。

□喻辛（職員）

title: 援鄂護士求入編，同意與否都要把理「說透」


title: GDP降6.8%：正視負增長是經濟回穩起點

content_text:
原標題：GDP降6.8%：正視負增長是經濟回穩起點

■ 社論

穩住2020有希望有困難，要求我們像同心「抗疫」一樣同心「創業」，擠掉泡沫、甩掉包袱，輕裝上陣，讓經濟真正回歸到健康狀態。

4月17日，國家統計局最新公佈的數據顯示，一季度我國GDP增長同比下降6.8%。

GDP負增長本在意料中，但數據並未呈現「斷崖式下跌」，這意味著，疫情的衝擊沒有想像那般「致命」。我國通過一系列防疫舉措，迅速阻斷了本土疫情傳播鏈條，並啟動經濟復甦系列政策，基本穩住了經濟陣腳、經受住了疫情考驗。

經濟回穩的趨勢，通過3月份的數據可以明顯表現出來：3月份規模以上工業增加值同比下降1.1%，降幅較前兩個月收窄12.4個百分點，環比增長32.13%；而全國服務業生產指數、社會消費品零售總額、進出口總額等同比降幅也都明顯收窄。這也表明，各級政府對症下藥的「經濟抗疫」工作取得了較明顯的成效。

當然，宏觀數據上的回穩，並不等於經濟重回疫前狀態。當前經濟社會中的一些問題和挑戰仍較突出，其中既有疫情帶來的短期困難，也有長期性、結構性問題。兩方面相互影響疊加，經濟全面回暖任重道遠，有可能對第二三季度的數據，也要保持謹慎樂觀。

首先，一季度CPI同比增長4.9%，凸顯通脹壓力不容忽視。當前，疫情仍在全球蔓延，城鎮調查失業率升高，城鄉居民可支配收入下降，其中的滯脹風險隱患不可不察。尤其是微觀層面上，一些家庭會遇到財務困境，尤需關注並給予幫扶。

其次，3月份PPI同比、環比均有下降，且降幅有所擴大，暗示部分工業增加值可能以企業庫存的形式存在，企業經營活動現金流尚沒有恢復正常，實體經濟風險向金融體系的蔓延風險需引起足夠警惕。

另外，疫情過後，世界或難再回過往軌道，國際市場的不確定性將紛至沓來，影響著我國經濟的穩定發展，影響億萬人的生計。如我國外貿基本盤，疫情後會出現一些變化，尤其是歐美等主要消費市場，一則因疫情下的財富受損和失業率上升，一則因國際貿易規則和秩序可能的變化，也或難以恢復到疫前水平。

這就要求我們既要有積極預期，也要實事求是地正視多重困難，像同心「抗疫」一樣同心「創業」，擠掉泡沫、甩掉包袱，輕裝上陣，讓經濟真正回歸到健康狀態。

這其中，有個重要抓手，就是最近印發的《中共中央 國務院關於構建更加完善的要素市場化配置體制機制的意見》。這是這些年要素資源市場化改革的總結和提升，對拓寬經濟主體的生存發展空間，營造海闊憑魚躍、天高任鳥飛的活力景象有著深遠意義。

當然，徒法不足以自行。這一意見的深入落實還仰賴於進一步推進對內的行政體制改革，以及推動更高層次的對外開放。整個世界正艱難抗疫，國內各界比任何時候都期待以壯士斷腕的改革激蕩起更大的發展動能。

為此，當前我國一方面當深化推進要素資源的市場化改革，鞏固和完善行政體制改革，通過改革從根本上降低經濟社會的交易成本；另一方面要拿出更多推動企業復工復產的政策支持，積極通過降低居民個人所得稅、提高社會公共救濟能力、個稅退還以及金融支持等手段，擴大內需市場規模，緩解總需求衝擊，進而有效激活市場信用創造，防範經濟滯脹。

總之，第一季度我國果敢的防疫舉措穩住了經濟社會發展的陣腳，接下來就需要「勇闖天涯」的改革開放舉措盤活經濟社會活力，為2020年經濟的穩定發展凝聚合力。


content_text:
▲男友躲廁所玩手遊，女孩懷疑有鬼，偷開手機驚見心碎一幕。（示意圖／記者周宸亘攝）

網搜小組／柯振中報導

男女交往過程中，最重要的就是信任。一名女子近日表示，她與男友交往兩年，已經開始同居，近日網友迷上某款網路遊戲，每天都在遊玩，一開始會讓她陪在身邊，最近卻不准她在旁觀看，甚至還躲到廁所玩，讓她感到相當奇怪，趁著男友洗澡時偷開遊戲，沒想到竟讓她撞見心碎的一幕。

一名女網友在臉書社團「爆廢公社二館」替人代發文，文章內容寫著，撰稿者與男友交往2年，已經開始同居生活，近日男友迷上一款手遊，每天都泡在遊戲上，原先男友玩遊戲時，她都會在一旁陪伴，直到最近開始會躲著她、不准她在旁邊看，甚至跑到廁所玩，讓她感到相當奇怪。

她向男友反應後，男友只是回應「玩遊戲而已不要一直看很不自在」的話語，還讓她開始反省，是不是太黏了，才導致這樣的狀況發生，「但可能女人第六感真的很準吧，以前很信任他、也不太去看他手機，雖然覺得不太好，這次我趁他洗澡時偷偷解鎖手機。」

▲女子打開男友手機，驚見心碎一幕。（圖／翻攝「爆廢公社二館」）

沒想到，打開後，她竟然看見男友在遊戲上認識一名女網友，對話還相當親密，甚至提到「想我」、「不過真ㄉ（的）滿想的」、「想你！想過去抱抱」的話語，讓她相當心碎，「本來也不抱期待因為不知道遊戲內到底會不會有聊天紀錄，結果讓我看到最不想看到的。」

隨後，她離開了家裡，男友打了許多電話給她，她也沒有打算接，只能坐在附近的公園，不曉得要去哪，也不知道該怎麼辦，「怕家人擔心也不敢跟家人說…只能上來聽聽你們意見，我可能會先找朋友家，有沒有人能讓我待一晚吧。」

眾多網友看完，紛紛感到相當生氣，也非常心疼女子，「已經開始了啊」、「原來這是交友軟體阿」、「這就是有怎麼樣過了啊」、「 哇嗚我還真是心有戚戚焉，放生吧～妳有更好的未來的」、「不要再傻傻的回頭找那男的了，妳值得更好的。」

►酒精乾洗手特惠組！～防疫殺菌神器來囉～

references: 臉書社團 爆廢公社 網友

title: 同居男友躲廁所玩手遊！她懷疑「有鬼」偷解鎖…見心碎一幕離家出走


countries: 台灣 中國 美國

taiwan-subdivisions: 和美 成功

title: 川普為何斷援WHO？彭博專欄：因要求讓台灣參加WHA遭拒

content_text:
2020-04-18 00:19:49

〔即時新聞／綜合報導〕美國總統川普14日宣布中斷對世界衛生組織（WHO）的金援。有專欄指出，川普之所以暫停資助WHO，是因為有美國官員提出包括讓台灣參加世界衛生大會（WHA）在內的種種合理要求，但卻遭到WHO秘書長譚德塞拒絕，因此川普才中斷金援，意圖讓譚德塞改變主意。

《彭博》一篇專欄 中，作者引述美國外交官的說法表示，美國有高官向WHO提出一系列合理要求，包括讓台灣參加WHA、施壓讓中國提供完整早期病毒樣本給美國，並要中國更透明的公布病毒早期在境內擴散的狀況。不過，譚德塞拒絕了這些要求，因此川普才會以中斷金援向譚德塞施壓。

專欄指出，譚德塞目前正處於困境之中，WHO需要中國和其公共衛生系統相挺，但是中國設下的首要條件，就是要WHO排除在抗疫取得了巨大的成功台灣。

但是，川普暫停金援WHO是否合理？專欄指出，如果能因此讓WHO施壓中國，讓疫情更加透明，那麼短暫切斷金援可以幫助到整個世界；但是，如果其他國家介入，補上WHO的資金缺口，那會讓川普和美國感到孤立和尷尬，此為高風險的策略。

在宣布斷援WHO之後，川普17日晚間在推特發文質問WHO，台灣早在去年12月底就向世衛提出警告，指出病毒恐有「人傳人」風險，「為什麼WHO選擇忽視這份郵件？」，「為什麼只要是WHO提供的武漢疫情相關資訊都是不正確且誤導人的說法？」川普更批，疫情在今年2、3月開始肆虐蔓延全球，「到底為什麼WHO要那麼久才能採取關鍵行動？」

Why did the W.H.O. Ignore an email from Taiwanese health officials in late December alerting them to the possibility that CoronaVirus could be transmitted between humans? Why did the W.H.O. make several claims about the CoronaVirus that ere either inaccurate or misleading....

— Donald J. Trump （@realDonaldTrump） April 17, 2020 相關新聞請見︰武漢肺炎懶人包》傳染途徑、預防措施看這裡
「武漢肺炎專區」請點此，更多相關訊息，帶您第一手掌握。


content_text:
泰國網友再發明新詞彙「Nmslese」，專指吵架吵不贏時，就只會回以咒罵「NMSL（你媽死了）」的中國五毛。圖為，泰國網友所製哏圖，畫面中的鍵盤僅有「N、M、S、L」按鍵，嘲諷中國五毛詞彙量貧瘠，連咒罵人也只罵得出「NMSL」，擠不出別的字詞。 （圖擷取自推特）

2020-04-18 00:34:16

〔即時新聞／綜合報導〕泰國男星奇瓦雷和女友「Weetaya」談天內容一句「台灣女孩風格」，引發中、泰兩國網友鍵盤大戰，中國五毛與小粉紅不敵泰式酸辣，夾著尾巴逃回微博，在牆後群起崩潰。近來，泰國網友再發明新詞彙「Nmslese」，專指吵架吵不贏時，就只會回以咒罵「NMSL（你媽死了）」的中國五毛。

根據「Urban Dictionary」（城市字典），網路上近來出現的新詞彙「Nmslese」，專指中國網軍「五毛」。典故源自日前中泰大戰中，被泰國網友嗆爆的中國網軍，只要在吵架吵輸不過別人時，就趕緊搬出「你媽死了」來咒罵對方。「Nmslese」將中國網軍的愛用語「NMSL（意為你媽死了）」的語尾加上「-ese」以指稱中國網軍「五毛」。

而泰國網友更製作哏圖，畫面中的鍵盤僅有「N、M、S、L」的按鍵，嘲諷中國五毛詞彙量貧瘠，連咒罵人也只會罵「NMSL」，擠不出別的字詞。

另外，近來YouTube頻道「（香港）高登音樂台 HKGolden Music」也發布「奶茶聯盟」新曲「NMSL Song」（NMSL歌），歌詞大意為，中國的「調皮」男孩們，最喜歡上推特發出噪音，然後再被泰國人踢到屁滾尿流，可憐的中國五毛自掘墳墓、自取其辱，而他們僅會的咒罵語也只有「NMSL（你媽死了）」。

title: 泰式酸辣！專剋中國五毛 泰國網友再出新單字「Nmslese」

countries: 泰國 中國 台灣 香港


title: 樂高分享「積木台灣味」 全球粉絲怒喊「餓了！」

references: 網友 臉書

countries: 台灣 丹麥

content_text:
2020-04-17 23:42:15

〔即時新聞／綜合報導〕丹麥的玩具公司「LEGO 樂高」是歷久不衰的熱銷玩具，在全球廣受各年齡層玩家喜愛，世界各國的樂高玩家也喜愛透過樂高創作藝術作品；LEGO官方昨天在臉書分享一組作品，不僅讓世界各地的樂高粉絲怒喊「餓了」，更是讓台灣的樂高玩家相當興奮，直呼「這就是台灣味啊」！

樂高官方粉絲頁昨天分享一組用樂高拼成的食物作品，可以看到台灣的經典美食珍珠奶茶與雞排，也可以看到川味麻辣火鍋等等，這些作品都是台灣的樂高好手陳冠州的作品，滿滿的台灣味不僅讓大批網友垂涎三尺，海內外網友大呼哪裡買的到？紛紛留言，「在大家都出不去的時候PO這個，是個折磨啊」、「這就是來自台灣的攻擊！」、「從來不知道原來樂高也會讓我餓」、「再隔離下去我就要吃樂高啦」，連台南市長黃偉哲也聞香而來，在下方留言推薦全糖台南珍奶。

這組作品是台灣知名的樂高藝術家陳冠州的創作，他自己經營的粉絲頁積木國王 大黑白也有更多他的積木創作，其中也有近期創作的「Taiwan can help」積木作品。


title: 武漢肺炎》日航空姐服務發燒乘客 配戴飛機維修材料所製面罩

content_text:
2020-04-17 23:58:19

〔即時新聞／綜合報導〕武漢肺炎疫情延燒全球，為了保護乘客以及員工的安全，日本航空特別做出了「特殊面罩」，提供員工用來接待有發燒症狀的乘客。

據朝日新聞報導，日本航空17日起，該公司的工作人員於東京羽田機場為有「發燒」症狀的乘客服務時，皆會配戴特製面罩防護。報導稱，該面罩是由鈦合金板及丙烯酸板廢料製作而成，這兩者材料本來是用於修理飛機，是為了因應疫情而加以改造的特殊防護面罩，是由日航負責維修的子公司生產。

目前日本確診人數已突破1萬人，其中東京地區累積確診人數高達2796人，為全日本受感染人數最多的地方。東京知事小池百合子今表示，現在狀況非常緊急，有必要進行更進一步的措施來防止疫情傳染。

武漢肺炎懶人包》傳染途徑、預防措施看這裡
「武漢肺炎專區」請點此，更多相關訊息，帶您第一手掌握。


content_text:
2020-04-17 23:43:38

〔即時新聞／綜合報導〕中國武漢肺炎疫情未歇，傳出多起非裔遭歧視案件，今（17）日有旅居中國的非裔人士再爆料，近期沒有旅遊史仍遭隔離。

綜合媒體報導，中國武漢肺炎今天325人確診，累積共計有8萬3753人確診、4636人死亡。

推特（Twitter）12日出現一段影片，顯示中國廣州當地不准非裔人士進入麥當勞等速食餐廳。今再有旅中的非裔人士表示，廣州政府才是歧視帶頭者，6名在當地的非裔人士向美國《時代》雜誌吐露，他們近期沒有任何旅遊史或其他感染的可能因素，仍被安置進隔離所。其中一些人說，為確保他們不會逃跑，隔離所門內裝有磁條及警鈴用來監控。

一位匿名的烏干達女士說，她和4名同鄉室友被帶到一家飯店隔離，並繳交近500美元（約新台幣1萬5000元）費用。她認為隔離措施是正確的，「但這些作為是歧視。」

中國外交部本週一（13日）承諾，廣州當地政府將依據零歧視原則改善措施，並逐步放寬針對非洲人士的健康管理限制。

Again, for those who still doubt that Black people and particularly #AfricansinChina are being targeted we feel it is our duty to share this. A sign at a @McDonalds restaurant seems to make this perfectly clear pic.twitter.com/FaveKrdQHi

— Black Livity China （@BlackLivityCN） April 11, 2020 相關新聞請見︰武漢肺炎懶人包》傳染途徑、預防措施看這裡
「武漢肺炎專區」請點此，更多相關訊息，帶您第一手掌握。

countries: 中國 美國 烏干達

events: 武漢肺炎 死亡

title: 武漢肺炎》非裔人士控訴 在中國受到歧視


content_text:
WHO秘書長譚德塞16日在推特發表8篇貼文，每篇分別以「勇氣」、「愛」等帶有正能量的英文單字，來向世人精神喊話。加拿大心理學者薩德也「有樣學樣」，以一個單字「蠢（imbecile）」評論譚德塞的「抗疫模式」。（美聯社）

2020-04-17 23:58:46

〔即時新聞／綜合報導〕不是來自台灣的攻擊哦！世界衛生組織（WHO）秘書長譚德塞16日在推特陸續發表8篇貼文，每篇內容分別以一個帶有正能量的英文單字，例如「勇氣」、「愛」等字，來向世人精神喊話。對此，加拿大心理學者薩德（Gad Saad）也「有樣學樣」，以一個單字「蠢（imbecile）」評論譚德塞的「抗疫模式」。近來，各界網友也群起效仿以一個單字來轉推貼文，紛紛直呼「跪舔（lickspittle）」、「不勝任（incompetent）」、「腐敗（Corruption）」，向譚德塞的防疫模式「致敬」。

譚德塞16日在推特上發表8篇貼文，內文都僅以一個英文單字來精神喊話，包含「勇氣（Courage）」 、「謙遜（Humility）」 、「信心（Confidence）」、「價值（Values）」、「愛（Love）」 、「統一（Unity）」、「仁慈（humanity）」 、「團結（Solidarity）」。8篇內容空泛的貼文一出，各界網友紛紛困惑，譚德塞的「防疫模式」難道就是搬出正能量詞彙來「精神喊話」？

對此，加拿大演化心理學（Evolutionary psychology）家薩德16日就在推特上表示，譚德塞目前的抗疫方式就是「一次一單字」。接著，薩德就直言，「讓我來分享我的防疫單字：愚蠢（imbecile）」。

貼文一出，各界網友紛紛笑翻，也紛紛效仿以一個英文單字來總結，「跪舔（lickspittle）」、「不勝任（incompetent）」、「腐敗（Corruption）」、「邪惡（Evil）」、「疫情爆發；爆紅（viral）」、「解雇（fired）」、「拙劣（inept）」。

My man @DrTedros is defeating the virus one word at a time. Let me share my word: imbecile. https://t.co/B0xfRQST31

— Gad Saad （@GadSaad） April 16, 2020

加拿大演化心理學（Evolutionary psychology）家薩德（Gad Saad）16日就在推特上表示，譚德塞目前的抗疫方式就是「一次一單字」。接著，薩德就直言，「讓我來分享我的防疫單字：愚蠢（imbecile）」。（圖擷取自推特＿@GadSaad）

title: 譚德賽狂曬正能量單字精神喊話  演化心理學家一字神回酸爆

countries: 台灣 加拿大


references: 臉書社團 網友 靈異公社

people: 柯文哲 陳時中

title: 男子疑拍到靈異照嚇傻 網歪樓：只看到真理

content_text:
你看到了嗎？桃園一名網友日前和同事出外洽公，突然同事看著某處對他說：「行道樹下有蹲著一個手抱膝低頭的小孩…」，他仔細一看果然看見了意想不到的畫面，還拍下照片上傳網路，不少網友看了也直呼：「超恐怖」，但更有大票網友歪樓，玩笑的說：「你應該是想偷拍妹子吧?」

▼原PO拍下照片上傳網路。（圖/翻攝自靈異公社）

原PO在臉書社團「靈異公社」發文表示，日前他載著同事出去辦公，在等紅燈時，同事卻突然說了一句；「行道樹下有蹲著一個手抱膝低頭的小孩」，原PO仔細的往樹叢觀察，看久了果真發現有個身影躲在其中，他嚇得對同事說：「看你要自請離職還是調單位，誰說你可以這樣嚇我的」，之後他也拍下照片跟網友分享，要大家一起來找碴！ ▼樹叢中依稀可見一個小孩的身影。（圖/翻攝自靈異公社）

不少網友看完照片紛紛留言：「很清楚可以看到小朋友蹲在那裡」、「真的有欸」、「嚇死寶寶了！」

但值得一提的是，原PO的照片中也拍到了一名穿著紅色真理褲女騎士，不少網友也歪樓表示：「我只看到真理，重點是那雙腿」、「我只相信事實或實在相一致的事，這種事我們稱為真理」、「你說什麼我都聽不見，我只相信我眼前看到的」。

（封面圖／翻攝自靈異公社）

【往下看更多】
● 遇到魔神仔？婦人失蹤17天 驚吐神秘帶路人
● 認愛經紀人？蕭敬騰痛訴真相：我可以告他們
● 泳衣挖空！閃亮亮泡溫泉 黃包包真實反應曝

【今日最熱門】
● 武肺當前！最安全國家名單出爐 台排第7竟輸大陸
● 肺炎疫情：英國二戰老兵古稀之年為抗疫籌款 全球呼應如潮
● 挺陳時中選2022台北市？柯文哲鬆口給答案


content_text:
A US military reconnaissance plane was reported flying close to the nation’s southern airspace yesterday morning, the ninth time US military aircraft have been observed operating near Taiwan this month.

A US RC-135U Combat Sent was operating in the South China Sea, according to a flight chart posted on Twitter yesterday by Aircraft Spots, a military tracker.

The Ministry of National Defense did not directly confirm the sighting, except to say that the nation’s armed forces closely monitor the surrounding waters and airspace.

Aircraft Spots charts and government records show that the latest US operation was the ninth since the beginning of this month that a US warplane had been operating near the nation’s airspace.

Su Tzu-yun (蘇紫雲), an analyst at the government-funded Institute for National Defense and Security Research, said that the RC-135U’s flight patch from close to the Bashi Channel to the South China Sea could have been to monitor unusual activity in the area by China’s People’s Liberation Army.

The US plane had its transponder switched on, which exposed the plane to detection by various online aircraft tracking sites, Su added.

The move was likely deliberate and intended not only to demonstrate the US military’s muscle in the South China Sea, but also as a form of public diplomacy, Su said.

Comments will be moderated. Keep comments relevant to the article. Remarks containing abusive and obscene language, personal attacks of any kind or promotion will be removed and the user banned. Final decision will be at the discretion of the Taipei Times.

title: US military plane flies near Taiwan


content_text:
睽違八年，金鐘影后方文琳再次接演「大愛劇場：我在你心裡」，飾演一位愛漂亮的玉新師姐（劇中女主角名），故事主要講述師姐與家人、丈夫之間，因認識慈濟而發生的生命轉變。

飾演其丈夫的是由曾經拿下金鐘男配角的演員游安順，值得一提的是，其實兩人是真正的老搭檔，曾經在35年前（1986年）的電影「我們的天空」合作過，兩人在拍攝現場提起往事，方文琳開玩笑說：「怎麼會這麼沒緣分，這麼久才能再次合作！」

時隔35年，從當年青澀演技躍升“金鐘CP”

電影「我」劇，是一部以男生為主的戲，方文琳當時雖然擔綱女主角，但是僅有客串戲份，兩人還不算太熟悉。時隔35年，游安順表示兩人雖中間未合作，但是這次演起來感覺自己與方文琳默契十足、並誇讚：「文琳姐是老戲骨，跟她演起戲來一拍即合！」游安順也分享：「當年在電影裡面暗戀著她，現在可以跟她在這部戲成為夫妻，這個情分真是難得！」這次合作兩人從當年青澀演技躍升“金鐘CP”，玩出很多不一樣的火花，令人相當期待六月初「大愛劇場：我在你心裡」的播岀。方文琳表示：「這次跟順哥合作很愉快，希望下次別再隔35年，到時我們都不知道幾歲啦！」

勤洗手、減少群聚、戴口罩

近期因為疫情關係，方文琳每天除了拍戲就是待在家，一定勤洗手、減少群聚、戴口罩。問起這段時間忙拍戲，是否有買不到口罩的情況，方文琳表示，因為自己過去就有買口罩的習慣，也有朋友在做品質很好的竹碳口罩套，所以這方面目前為止還不會太擔心，甚至會將自己的健保卡讓給親戚去購買口罩。

方文琳將善與愛傳達給身邊的人

因為本身有一些多的口罩，還會再跟朋友多訂購環保又衛生的竹碳口罩套，將其分送給身邊的親朋好友，包含鄰居、大樓管理員，以及日前出版的公益寫真書《琳聽覺者的聲音》的眾書迷等。方文琳希望透過分享，將善與愛傳達給身邊的人，想為防疫盡一份心力！

（照片來源：明悅整合行銷工作室）

title: 睽違八年，金鐘影后方文琳再次接演大愛劇場


title: 古根海姆首席投資官Scott Minerd：標普500指數預計將出現大幅下...

content_text: 如果您繼續閱讀，視同您同意我們隱私條款。This website uses cookies to improve user experience. By clicking agree you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy..


title: Virus Outbreak: China’s economy hits historic low

content_text:
LONG ROAD AHEAD:
 While a recovery in retailing and factory output is likely to continue, it would be slowed by weak consumption and sluggish foreign sentiment

The COVID-19 pandemic in the first quarter pushed China’s economy into its first contraction in decades, with the spread of the disease worldwide now leaving the nation reliant on fragile domestic demand to spur a recovery.

GDP shrank 6.8 percent from a year earlier, the worst performance since at least 1992, when official releases of quarterly GDP started, and missing the median forecast of a 6 percent drop. China’s economy has not contracted on a full-year basis since the end of the Mao Zedong (毛澤東) era in the 1970s.

Retail sales last month slid 15.8 percent as consumers remained wary, while investment decreased 16.1 percent in the first three months of this year.

Employees play badminton outside their restaurant in Beijing’s Qianmen District on Wednesday last week.
 Photo: Reuters

A brighter sign was a smaller-than-expected contraction of 1.1 percent last month in industrial production as factories returned to work amid easing lockdowns.

Retailing and factory output showed improvement from the nadir in the first two months, suggesting a stabilization in economic activity.

“We expect this recovery to continue,” Oxford Economics Hong Kong Ltd head of Asia economics Louis Kuijs said. “However, the upturn will be slowed down by lingering consumption weakness and sliding foreign demand.”

China’s markets held on to gains after the release of the data, as investors had already anticipated the weak data.

The economy was forced into a paralysis in late January as the epidemic that first started in Wuhan spread nationwide. The economy remained shuttered for much of February, with factories and shops closed and workers stranded at home.

The process of resuming business has been slow and the return rate only inched up to about 90 percent at the end of last month, Bloomberg Economics estimated.

To cushion the economic blow, China has unveiled a range of support measures and has increased fiscal and monetary support — although not on the scale of other nations.

A meeting of the Chinese Communist Party’s Politburo in the coming days might provide further signals as to the direction of policy support.

“The March activity data suggest the recovery will be a long haul — especially with the pandemic clobbering external demand. A much narrower decline in production points to strong improvement on the supply side, as our back-to-work gauges have flagged. This partly explains the limited drop in GDP, which is production based. But foundering retail sales and investment underline continued weaknesses on the demand side,” Bloomberg economist Shu Chang (舒暢) said.

While exports last month fell less than expected as production capacity was gradually restored, economists warned that headwinds lie ahead as the rest of the world shuts down and external demand diminishes.

“Most major economies are still in the lockdown stage,” Morgan Stanley Asia chief China economist Robin Xing (邢自強) told Bloomberg TV. “As a result, growth in the second quarter will be shallow, just marginally above zero.”

On the positive side, the surveyed jobless rate last month declined to 5.9 percent, from February’s record 6.2 percent.

Comments will be moderated. Keep comments relevant to the article. Remarks containing abusive and obscene language, personal attacks of any kind or promotion will be removed and the user banned. Final decision will be at the discretion of the Taipei Times.


content_text:
The Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA) and the North American Taiwanese Medical Association yesterday sent US President Donald Trump a letter urging his administration to reverse former US president Bill Clinton’s “three noes” policy, which would make it easier for Taiwan to gain full membership in the WHO.

The letter first lauded the Trump administration for correctly highlighting the WHO’s failures at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and for Washington’s decision to review and adjust its policy toward the global health body.

In the letter, the two associations encouraged the Trump administration, as part of its review, to consider reversing Clinton’s “three noes” policy and support Taiwan’s full membership in the WHO.

US President Donald Trump and members of the US Coronavirus Task Force give a media briefing at the White House in Washington on Thursday.
 Photo: EPA-EFE

The US only supporting Taiwan being granted WHO observer status is a legacy of the Clinton-era policy, they said.

As a US administration that has prided itself in moving Taiwan policy along the “right track,” it should give this action serious consideration, the associations added.

Noting discussion in Washington on a proposal to establish a “parallel” global health body, the associations called on the Trump administration to include Taiwan as a founding member of any forthcoming organization.

“The letter written with the North American Taiwanese Medical Association shows that the Taiwanese American community seeks to be a force of change to better US policy toward Taiwan,” FAPA president Minze Chien (簡明子) said. “FAPA will continue to challenge the US’ self-imposed policy practiced over decades to gradually normalize US-Taiwan relations.”

During his nine-day visit in China in 1998, Clinton in an address at the Shanghai Library said: “We don’t support independence for Taiwan, or two Chinas, or one Taiwan, one China. And we don’t believe that Taiwan should be a member of any organization for which statehood is a requirement.”

The statement, although never officially put in writing, was viewed at the time as Washington veering away from a neutral stance and opting for a more pro-China stance on cross-strait relations.

Clinton’s aides said that the policy change was meant to remove “impediments” posed by Taiwan issues, thereby facilitating a “strategic partnership” with China, to gain Beijing’s support on issues associated with US interests.

Comments will be moderated. Keep comments relevant to the article. Remarks containing abusive and obscene language, personal attacks of any kind or promotion will be removed and the user banned. Final decision will be at the discretion of the Taipei Times.

title: Group letter urges Trump to rescind the ‘three noes’


content_text:
‘JUST CLAIMS’:
 Legislator Lin Wei-chou of the KMT said that constitutional interpretations have stated that Control Yuan members must be above politics

A bill amending the Organic Act of the Control Yuan (監察院組織法) to impose stricter restrictions on those eligible to be nominated as a Control Yuan member has been submitted by Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Lin Wei-chou (林為洲).

The bill proposes deleting Item 1, Article 3 of the act, which makes individuals who have served as a legislator for one term or more, or two terms as a municipal councilor, eligible to be nominated as a member of the Control Yuan.

The bill also proposes adding a new item under Article 3 which states that those who have been a member of a political party, or involved in any political activity, within 10 years should not be eligible to be nominated.

Constitutional interpretations have stated that Control Yuan members must be above politics and exercise the powers afforded by their position in strict adherence with the law, Lin said.

The Control Yuan is not the only government body that should remain independent and above politics, Lin added, citing the Central Election Commission as an example.

CEC Chairman Lee Chin-yung (李進勇) was a member of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) prior to his nomination, Lin said.

“Currently all claims of ‘being above party politics and independently exercising the powers of one’s position’ are exactly that — just claims,” Lin said.

While a Control Yuan member’s job description is an “abstract concept,” members must still answer to the public, DPP Legislator Chou Chun-mi (周春米) said.

Experience garnered at the legislature would help an individual exercise their right of oversight, Chou added.

Control Yuan nominees already have to pass two “screening” processes — being nominated by the president and being ratified by the legislature — and there is no need for further oversight, he said.

Comments will be moderated. Keep comments relevant to the article. Remarks containing abusive and obscene language, personal attacks of any kind or promotion will be removed and the user banned. Final decision will be at the discretion of the Taipei Times.

title: Bill proposing ‘truly’ independent Control Yuan is submitted

people: 林為洲 李進勇 周春米


title: Virus Outbreak: No new cases for third time in week

content_text:
LOOKING SOUTHBOUND:
 The CECC is mulling stricter quarantine measures for travelers from Southeast Asia, where the pandemic appears to be worsening

Taiwan yesterday again registered no new cases of COVID-19 — the third time this week — as the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said that travelers arriving from Southeast Asia, where the pandemic appears to be getting worse, would be the focus of stricter screening.

With no additional cases reported on Tuesday, Thursday and yesterday, Taiwan maintained its tally of confirmed infections at 395, including six deaths.

Of the 395 cases, 340 were imported and 55 were local infections, while 166 patients have been discharged from quarantine facilities following treatment, the center’s data showed.

People take pictures of the Grand Hotel in Taipei yesterday, which illuminated some of its rooms to spell out the word “Zero” after Taiwan reported no new COVID-19 cases for the third day this week.
 Photo: EPA

Asked if reporting zero new cases again means that the disease is abating in Taiwan, Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung (陳時中) told a daily news conference at the center in Taipei that.

While this might be the case, based on US standards, an epidemic can only be said to be abating when the number of new cases continues to drop for two consecutive weeks.

In that case, Taiwan’s situation can be described as “stable,” as the number of locally transmitted cases was either zero or one over the past few days, he said, while urging people to continue observing preventive measures.

Over the past week, the number of tests conducted daily for possible infection has dropped from nearly 1,300 to 1,100 to 900, CECC advisory specialist panel convener Chang Shan-chwen (張上淳) said.

In its investigations of cluster infections, the center did not find people without symptoms, which means asymptomatic people did not cause any community spread, he said.

As the disease seems to be spiraling out of control in Southeast Asia, where some countries are not as transparent about information, the center is mulling stricter quarantine measures for travelers arriving from the region, as it has done with those from Europe and the US, said Chen, who heads the center.

Prior to the news briefing, a Taipei-based food courier union staged a protest outside the center, calling for attention to be paid to the risks couriers face.

Some couriers did not know their customers were in home quarantine or isolation until apartment managers told them, union chairman Chen Hung-jui (陳泓瑞) said.

The government and food delivery platform operators have not provided couriers with a quota of masks, making them potential loopholes in disease prevention efforts, lawyer Chen Yu-hsin (陳又新) said, urging authorities to improve their working conditions.

Chen Shih-chung said that the center would meet with representatives of food couriers and postal workers, and soon release guidelines for protecting the delivery industry.

To ease the burden on pharmacies selling masks, pharmacists may close their stores on Sundays from this weekend, he said.

Asked about a UK think tank’s index that ranked Taiwan as the seventh-safest nation amid the pandemic — behind China in fifth place — Chen Shih-chung said that he was at first surprised to see countries that have reported more deaths rank better.

However, after studying the evaluation criteria used for the index, he said that he found it placed more emphasis on the procedures than the results of a nation’s quarantine policies.

As Taiwan has not conducted large-scale screening like other nations, the statistics cited by the index might not show its strength, he said, adding that the center could discuss the evaluation with the think tank.

Separately, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that another automatic 30-day visa extension has been granted to foreign visitors who entered Taiwan on or before March 21, citing increased travel restrictions worldwide amid the pandemic.

The announcement followed an initial automatic 30-day visa extension the ministry granted on March 21.

“All travelers who entered Taiwan on or before March 21 on a visitor visa, a landing visa or through a visa-waiver program who have not overstayed their legal stay period would be granted a second automatic 30-day extension,” with no application required, the Bureau of Consular Affairs said in a news release.

The total period of stay cannot exceed 180 days, it said, adding that the conditions are subject to change or may be adjusted as circumstances require.

Additional reporting by CNA

Comments will be moderated. Keep comments relevant to the article. Remarks containing abusive and obscene language, personal attacks of any kind or promotion will be removed and the user banned. Final decision will be at the discretion of the Taipei Times.


content_text:
Virus Outbreak: Furloughed worker numbers jump over 6,000 in a week

The number of furloughed employees on Wednesday jumped by 6,262 from seven days earlier, bringing the total number of workers on unpaid leave to 14,821, as the COVID-19 pandemic continued to affect the economy, the Ministry of Labor said on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the number of companies that have implemented unpaid leave programs reached 588, up 220 from seven days earlier, ministry data showed.

The number of furloughed employees hit the highest level since December 2011, when 13,034 workers were on unpaid leave, while the number of employers with unpaid leave programs was the highest since September 2009, when it hit 552, the data showed.

Taipei and New Taipei City registered the highest number of furloughed workers during the week at 6,727 — including 4,390 employees at 162 companies in Taipei, and 2,337 workers at 137 firms in New Taipei City.

Tainan reported 1,537 furloughed workers at 50 companies, while Taoyuan registered 1,054 at 40 firms, Kaohsiung 783 at 45 enterprises and Taichung 444 at 21, the data showed.

The manufacturing industry registered the highest number of furloughed workers at 4,874, followed by the hospitality and food and beverage industry at 4,495, and 2,101 in the wholesale and retail sector.

The number of furloughed workers in Hsinchu Science Park, one of the nation’s most important tech production hubs, rose to 704 in the week as of Wednesday, about 10 times that from a week earlier.

The latest figures showed that the pandemic has begun affecting supply chains and disrupting manufacturing operations, Department of Labor Standards and Equal Employment Deputy Director Huang Wei-chen (黃維琛) said.

The ministry this month started releasing weekly data on the number of furloughed workers instead of biweekly to better reflect the real workplace situation and to quickly identify people in need, Huang added.

Most of the companies implementing unpaid leave are small enterprises that employ fewer than 50 people, the ministry said.

Unpaid leave programs typically last for fewer than three months, with employees taking five to eight days off per month, it said.

Comments will be moderated. Keep comments relevant to the article. Remarks containing abusive and obscene language, personal attacks of any kind or promotion will be removed and the user banned. Final decision will be at the discretion of the Taipei Times.


content_text:
Virus Outbreak: China revises upward its coronavirus death tally by 39% amid data mistrust

China has revised its official count of deaths from COVID-19 and added about 1,290 deaths in Wuhan amid sustained skepticism of its epidemic data.

The addition, reported by Xinhua news agency yesterday, lifted the nationwide death toll nearly 40 percent to 4,636, the majority coming from Hubei Province, where Wuhan is located. About 325 new cases of infection were also added in the revision.

The additional deaths — all in Wuhan — were comprised of some who died at home without seeing a doctor or being tested for the virus, which meant that they were not recorded in data at the time, Xinhua quoted officials from Wuhan’s epidemic control unit as saying.

Workers pack containers with hot noodles at a factory in Wuhan, China, on Tuesday.
 Photo: Bloomberg

Other factors behind the revisions included incomplete and late reporting due to medical workers and institutions being overwhelmed by treating patients during the outbreak.

During the crisis, hospitals designated to treat patients were expanded to include institutions at the municipal and district levels, including private hospitals, and not all were connected to the central epidemic network and feeding timely information to it, the report said.

A similar upward revision occurred in New York City’s death tally a few days ago, adding more than 3,700 people who had died at home before being tested.

Still, China’s move is likely to fuel speculation about the accuracy of its data.

US intelligence officials have said that China concealed the extent of its outbreak and underreported the number of cases and deaths.

Last month, photographs of thousands of ash urns being ferried to funeral homes in Wuhan circulated on Chinese social media platforms, raising concern that the real number of deaths in the city was higher than officially acknowledged.

China has refuted charges that it intentionally underreported its numbers, saying that it shares what information it has transparently, but its revisions throughout the crisis have sown mistrust.

China’s revisions come after an investigative group was formed late last month to look into epidemic data and found discrepancies, Xinhua reported.

“Behind the epidemic data are the lives and health of the citizens, and the credibility of the government,” Xinhua quoted a Wuhan official as saying.

Comments will be moderated. Keep comments relevant to the article. Remarks containing abusive and obscene language, personal attacks of any kind or promotion will be removed and the user banned. Final decision will be at the discretion of the Taipei Times.


content_text:
By Peng Wan-hsin, Chen yun and Dennis Xie / Staff reporters, with staff writer

A plan to increase fines for Taiwanese who work for political organizations in China advanced at the legislature in Taipei yesterday, when a draft amendment to the Act Governing Relations Between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area (台灣地區與大陸地區人民關係條例) passed its first reading.

The draft was proposed by Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Michelle Lin (林楚茵) after Chang Ching-yi (張經義) — a Taiwanese reporter who works for a Chinese state-run agency — on April 9 did not tell a White House news conference about his company, instead saying: “I am from Taiwan” during his question time with US President Donald Trump.

Chang is a Taiwanese-born employee at Shanghai Media Group (上海文化廣播影視集團), a state-owned mouthpiece of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

The title and logo of the Mainland Affairs Council are seen on a podium at the council’s Taipei offices in an undated photograph.
 Photo: Chung Li-hua, Taipei Times

Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Deputy Minister Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正) on Thursday said Chang broke the law and could be fined between NT$100,000 and NT$500,000 (US$3,322 and US$16,610).

Article 33 of the act states that “any individual, juristic person, organization, or other institution of the Taiwan Area shall not hold any position or become any member of the agencies, institutions or organizations of the Mainland Area which are political parties, the military, the administration or of any political nature and which are prohibited with public notices by the Mainland Affairs Council, Executive Yuan in consultation with each competent authorities concerned.”

The amendment would boost the maximum fine to NT$1 million.

China has used multiple means to “buy off” Taiwanese, having them hired at Chinese organizations and agencies of a political nature, Lin said yesterday, adding that a maximum fine of NT$500,000 was too small to be a deterrent.

Separately yesterday, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Yeh Yu-lan (葉毓蘭) protested the decision to pass the amendment, saying that all Chinese media firms have state-ownership backgrounds, so the change to the law would in effect be a ban on Taiwanese working for any Chinese media firm.

It is a restriction of people’s right to work, an extremely unwise move in Taiwan, which advocates freedom of speech, Yeh said.

KMT Legislator Hung Meng-kai (洪孟楷) called on the DPP government not to oppose everything China-related.

Chang, who grew up in Yunlin County and has the chance to ask the US president questions, should be applauded, Hung said.

Comments will be moderated. Keep comments relevant to the article. Remarks containing abusive and obscene language, personal attacks of any kind or promotion will be removed and the user banned. Final decision will be at the discretion of the Taipei Times.

people: 洪孟楷 林楚茵 葉毓蘭

title: Bill passed to increase fine after reporter’s US incident


content_text:
Virus Outbreak: US-based couple under probe over health report

CASE NOS. 384 and 393:
 The couple, who have lived in the US for decades, allegedly showed symptoms of COVID-19 infection before boarding flights to Taiwan

Taoyuan prosecutors are investigating whether a US-based Taiwanese couple who have tested positive for COVID-19 had given false information about their health before boarding flights to Taiwan, endangering the flight crews and fellow passengers.

The couple took separate flights from New York to Taiwan, with the husband, who is in his 70s, arriving on Friday last week, and the wife, who is in her 60s, the following day. The two tested positive for the virus, with the man becoming the nation’s 384th case and the woman its 393rd case. They are receiving treatment in an isolation ward.

The Taiwan High Prosecutors’ Office on Thursday ordered Taoyuan prosecutors to investigate the couple for potential breaches of Article 13 of the Special Act on COVID-19 Prevention, Relief and Recovery (嚴重特殊傳染性肺炎防治及紓困振興特別條例), which states: “Individuals suffering from or suspected of suffering from severe pneumonia with novel pathogens [who] fail to abide by the instructions of competent health authorities of any level and thus are at risk of infecting others shall be sentenced to imprisonment of not more than two years or criminal detention, and may in addition thereto, be fined no less than NT$200,000 [US$6,644] and no more than NT$2 million.

“Preliminary reports indicate that while in the US, the couple already exhibited symptoms of COVID-19, but they still flew to Taiwan. Our office has initiated an investigation, which is headed by our chief prosecutor,” Taoyuan prosecutor Lin Hsiu-min (林秀敏) said, adding that dozens of people on the two flights are in quarantine after the couple tested positive.

A fellow passenger, who only gave his first name, Eric, showed his air ticket stub for a flight from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City to Taipei via EVA Air, indicating that he was seated one row from the husband.

Eric said he was scared of getting infected as the man coughed frequently, took some medicine several times and did not wear a mask.

Questions have been raised over whether the couple knew beforehand that they were infected, but concealed their condition to the airline crew and Taiwanese health authorities.

The wife allegedly experienced symptoms, such as coughing up phlegm and diarrhea, since late last month, while the husband started exhibiting symptoms on April 3.

The husband and wife are Taiwanese nationals who have been living in the US for about 30 years and have not visited Taiwan for years.

While they are not enrolled in the National Health Insurance system, health authorities on Thursday said that in line with local regulations, they do not have to bear the expenses for testing and treatment, including staying in an isolation ward, which are estimated to cost NT$4,700 per person per day.

The government in early February banned people who have tested positive for COVID-19, or have a fever, from boarding flights to Taiwan, as part of measures to prevent the spread of the disease.

Comments will be moderated. Keep comments relevant to the article. Remarks containing abusive and obscene language, personal attacks of any kind or promotion will be removed and the user banned. Final decision will be at the discretion of the Taipei Times.


content_text:
‘NO COINCIDENCE’:
 The president attributed Taiwan’s success to a combination of efforts by medical professionals, the government, the private sector and society

An article written by President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) is one of the featured stories in a special issue published by Time magazine on Thursday that asked more than 50 “Time 100” honorees for their insights on the challenges the world faces navigating the COVID-19 pandemic.

The special issue, titled “Finding Hope,” reached out to hundreds of people who have appeared on Time’s list of the 100 most influential people, including former UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon and the Dalai Lama, for their perspectives on the pandemic, the US magazine said.

Taiwan’s success in preventing a major outbreak of the coronavirus “is no coincidence,” Tsai wrote in the article.

“A combination of efforts by medical professionals, government, private sector and society at large have armored our country’s defenses,” she wrote, adding that the painful lesson Taiwan learned during the 2003 SARS outbreak put its government and people on high alert early on.

Taiwan began monitoring incoming passengers from Wuhan, China, as early as December last year, established the Central Epidemic Command Center in January, and subsequently introduced travel restrictions and quarantine protocols for high-risk travelers, she wrote.

In addition to public health professionals, the Taiwanese public, businesses and communities have all taken steps to contain the virus, she wrote.

“Although Taiwan has been unfairly excluded from the WHO and the UN, we remain willing and able to utilize our strengths across manufacturing, medicine and technology to work with the world,” she wrote.

“Taiwan is no stranger to hardship, and our resilience stems from our willingness to unite to surmount even the toughest obstacles,” she said. “This, above all else, is what I hope Taiwan can share with the world: the human capacity to overcome challenges together is limitless. Taiwan can help.”

Time magazine has postponed the publication of this year’s “Time 100” list, previously scheduled for release on Thursday, to September due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Comments will be moderated. Keep comments relevant to the article. Remarks containing abusive and obscene language, personal attacks of any kind or promotion will be removed and the user banned. Final decision will be at the discretion of the Taipei Times.

title: Virus Outbreak: ‘Time’ features Tsai on fighting COVID-19


title: Han recall vote set for June 6

content_text:
FILING DISMISSED:
 The Taipei High Administrative Court rejected a request to halt the vote, ruling that campaigners had not ‘jumped the gun’ in collecting signatures

A vote to recall Kaohsiung Mayor Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) is to be held on June 6, the Central Election Commission (CEC) said yesterday after it verified the public endorsements of a recall petition.

The CEC verified the legitimacy of about 400,000 signatures of eligible voters in Kaohsiung, surpassing the threshold of 228,134, or 10 percent of the 2.28 million eligible voters in the mayoral election in November 2018.

By law, a recall vote must be held within 60 days of the CEC verifying the petition.

Leaders of a campaign to recall Kaohsiung Mayor Han Kuo-yu hold a mock stamp in front of a giant poster in the shape of a ballot in Kaohsiung yesterday.
 Photo: CNA

For the recall motion to pass, at least 25 percent of eligible voters — about 571,000 — must vote in favor of the recall measure, in addition to the total number of people voting for the measure exceeding those voting against it.

Led by Wecare Kaohsiung founder Aaron Yin (尹立) and other activist groups in Kaohsiung, the petition was initiated in June last year, after Han, of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT), announced his presidential bid less than six months into his mayoral term.

The groups described Han’s presidential bid as a “betrayal,” saying that he was “quitting on Kaohsiung.”

Han has said that the recall effort is politically motivated, but the recall campaigners said that the drive to remove him was based on a grassroots movement, and that Han had hit a resonant chord of indignation and bitterness among Kaohsiung residents.

Meanwhile, the Taipei High Administrative Court yesterday rejected a request by Han supporters to block the recall campaign, although Han’s lawyer, Yeh Ching-yuan (葉慶元), said that he would file an appeal.

Former Kaohsiung Information Bureau director-general Anne Wang (王淺秋) and Yeh on April 8 filed a request asking the court to issue a preliminary injunction to halt the recall campaign.

The court dismissed Han’s complaints that recall campaigners had “jumped the gun in collecting signatures,” ruling that the claim did not demonstrate the need for urgency in issuing a preliminary injunction against the recall and that there was no need to bypass existing procedures being used to handle the issue.

Han’s legal team had filed for an administrative motion, arguing that the groups that initiated the recall petition had breached Article 75 of the Civil Servants and Election and Recall Act (公職人員選舉罷免法) by collecting signatures before Han had been in office for one year.

The team also sought a review of the CEC’s right to proceed with a recall vote against Han.


content_text:
The Ministry of Economic Affairs yesterday proposed reducing rent by 20 percent for manufacturers operating production facilities in the nation’s industrial parks and export processing zones as it seeks to avoid furloughs and layoffs due to economic turmoil stirred up by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We would offer a 20 percent cut in payments for a total of six months,” Vice Minister of Economic Affairs Lin Chuan-neng (林全能) told a news conference at the Executive Yuan in Taipei, adding that the reduction in rent would also be applicable to companies leasing land from state-owned enterprises, particularly Taiwan Sugar Corp (台糖).

Companies “could choose between delaying payments for one year, with the amount divided over the following three years, or the 20 percent reduction,” Lin said.

An iron worker performs a welding operation in a factory in New Taipei City yesterday.
 Photo: CNA

The ministry is also providing a 50 percent reduction in maintenance fees for public infrastructure, as well as extending payment periods for the treatment of industrial wastewater.

As part of a broader economic stimulus program, the ministry is subsidizing up to 40 percent of employee wages for companies in the manufacturing and service sectors that have posted a 50 percent drop in sales due to the pandemic, and slashing utility rates at Taiwan Power Co (台電) and Taiwan Water Corp (台灣自來水).

The 50 percent threshold could be further lowered to 30 percent for certain industries, Minister of Economic Affairs Shen Jong-chin (沈榮津) told reporters yesterday following a meeting with local businesses.

“We need to be flexible... The Industrial Development Bureau is to hold discussions with labor unions to reach common ground,” Shen said.

The ministry yesterday also approved applications from 11 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to join a government program.

Specializing in various industries, including machinery equipment, metal components and tools, as well as imported vehicles sales, Cheng Yu Precision Industry Co Ltd (承育精密), Amita Technologies Inc (有量科技), Jing Fong Industry Co Ltd (璟鋒工業), Yung Chang Co Ltd (泳常公司), Chao Chiun Mechanical Industry Co Ltd (喬群機械), Finewit Precision Industrial Co Ltd (泓憶精密), Ison Corp (光感動公司), Kuan Yu Advanced Composite Enterprise Co Ltd (冠羿企業), Changqing Motor Co Ltd (長慶汽車), Huanqiu Air Quality monitoring Co Ltd (環球車輛檢測) and an unnamed gear manufacturer are to invest a total of NT$1.9 billion (US$63.1 million).

The program, which launched in July last year amid rising trade tensions between the US and China, has to attracted more than NT$88.8 billion in investment from 206 SMEs, ministry data showed.

Separately yesterday, the central bank extended its NT$200 billion relief program for SMEs that have been affected by the pandemic to include self-employed workers.

The program provides loans of up to NT$500,000 with an interest rate of less than 1 percent to small business whose sales have fallen to less than NT$200,000 per month.

Comments will be moderated. Keep comments relevant to the article. Remarks containing abusive and obscene language, personal attacks of any kind or promotion will be removed and the user banned. Final decision will be at the discretion of the Taipei Times.

title: Ministry eyes rent reductions at industrial parks


content_text:
By Rachel Lin and Jake Chung / Staff reporter, with staff writer

Universities nationwide are changing how they hold graduation ceremonies this year amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

National Sun Yat-sen University president Cheng Ying-yao (鄭英耀) yesterday said that the university, due to its proximity to Kaohsiung’s Sizihwan (西子灣), is to hold its graduation ceremony outdoors on the beach.

The university estimates that about 120 doctoral students would receive their diplomas on June 6, while about 2,000 bachelor’s and master’s degree students would receive their diplomas between June 1 and June 6, Cheng said.

Sixth-graders and teachers from Datong Elementary School in Changhua County’s Shengang Township wear masks as they pose for a graduation photo at the school on Monday. Another version without masks was also taken on the same day, with students and teachers being asked to hold their breath for 30 seconds as a safety precaution.
 Photo copied by Tang Shih-ming, Taipei Times

Departments are free to choose whether they would hold their respective ceremonies on the beach or in indoor venues, he added.

National Chung Hsing University said that it is canceling all graduation ceremonies this year and putting all related videos and photos online, while National Taiwan University said it would hold a ceremony, but it has not yet finalized the details.

Shih Hsin University has said it would hold a ceremony this year without fail.

Chinese Culture University said it is spreading graduation over one week, allowing each of its 62 departments to hold their own ceremonies. It said that it would also livestream the ceremonies for those who cannot attend.

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) yesterday said that universities are free to hold ceremonies provided they follow the center’s crowd management guidelines, but high-risk events should be delayed or canceled.

According to the crowd management guidelines, introduced on March 25 to curb the spread of COVID-19, no more than 100 people can gather indoors and no more than 500 people outdoors at the same time. Hosts of public gatherings should assess the six risk indices: the ability to know the health status of attendees in advance; whether the location is well ventilated; the ability to observe social distancing for attendees; whether the event is held at a fixed location; the duration of the event; and whether attendees would be able to wear masks during the event.

The center also said that university departments should establish pandemic-related contingencies ahead of time, such as isolation rooms or methods to deliver potential patients to hospitals, and how to alert authorities about potential patients.

Preventive measures, such as masks, medical-grade isopropyl alcohol and necessary warning signage, should all be established in advance, it added.

In other news, the Ministry of Culture yesterday said that the Golden Melody Awards, Taiwan’s music award event, has been postponed until October due to social distancing and crowd management regulations.

Nominees are to be announced in the middle of July, the Bureau of Audiovisual and Music Industry Development said in a statement.

The awards were originally to be held at Taipei Arena, which can seat more than 10,000 people, the bureau said.

The exact date and how the ceremony would be held would be announced at a later date, it said.

A series of music events that accompany the awards, including international conferences, networking sessions, exhibitions and showcases would also be canceled, it added.

The bureau’s Popular Music Industry Division head, Chang Yu-hsuan (張祐瑄), said that given the large turnout last year, the festival would be canceled instead of postponed in the interest of the safety of artists and fans.

Additional reporting by CNA

Comments will be moderated. Keep comments relevant to the article. Remarks containing abusive and obscene language, personal attacks of any kind or promotion will be removed and the user banned. Final decision will be at the discretion of the Taipei Times.

title: Virus Outbreak: Universities changing graduation exercises


content_text:
FISHERIES

New shrimp variants bred

The Fisheries Research Institute has succeeded in breeding two new color variants in captive harlequin shrimps, a species of saltwater crustacean found in coral reefs in the Indian and Pacific oceans. Wild harlequin shrimps that live in waters in the east Pacific typically have deep pinkish-purple spots with yellow edges, while those that live in the Indian Ocean and the west Pacific tend to be more brownish with a blue edge. Through gene recombination and hybridization, shrimps in shades of indigo blue and cobalt blue have been bred, the institute said yesterday. The production value of ornamental shrimp in the nation exceeds NT$200 million (US$6.64 million) per year, it added.

DIPLOMACY

Fearful Taiwanese contacted

Taiwanese Fang Sheng-yi (方聖逸) on Thursday uploaded a video to YouTube asking for the government’s help and in which he said he is in a city in Mozambique in which militants have killed more than 100 people. The video was shared on Professional Technology Temple — the nation’s biggest online bulletin board system — by a user who claimed to be Fang’s friend. While Fang had not sought help from the nation’s embassy in Eswatini, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had contacted the user who uploaded the video, spokeswoman Joanne Ou (歐江安) said. The ministry talked with Fang by telephone yesterday morning and confirmed that he is safe at the moment, she said, adding that as Mozambique has imposed border controls and travel restrictions, the embassy would help him move to a safer place, before helping him return home when travel options are available.

CHARITY

Priest O’Connell dies at 84

Catholic Priest Brendan O’Connell, founder of the Bethlehem Foundation who devoted most of his life to charitable works in Taiwan, died in New York on Thursday aged 84. Bethlehem Foundation executive secretary Chen Cheng-lin (陳正霖) said that O’Connell had returned to the US due to health problems. He last visited Taiwan in 2018 to attend the opening of the foundation’s Infant Developmental Center Merciful Mother Kindergarten, though the foundation had regularly kept in touch with him, Chen said. O’Connell first traveled to Taiwan in 1963 when he began helping children with special needs in Miaoli County. He worked at several mental health rehabilitation centers and established the Bethlehem Foundation in 1996. O’Connell in 2017 received a national identification card from then-premier Lin Chuan (林全), becoming the first foreign national to obtain one without having to renounce his original citizenship following an amendment to the Nationality Act (國籍法).

CRIME

Man charged for stabbing

A man surnamed Yu (于), 44, has been arrested for allegedly stabbing a man 18 times in Taipei’s Wanhua District (萬華) last Saturday. The victim, a taxi driver surnamed Lin (林), 44, survived the attack, although he is still in a hospital intensive care unit. Police on Tuesday said that video footage from surveillance cameras showed Yu allegedly wielding a 30cm knife and stabbing Lin, who was passing by. Yu was quoted by police as saying that he saw Lin looking at him, and believed Lin had a grudge and was going to strike first, so he acted in self-defense. However, an investigation found that the two men did not know each other. Yu faces attempted manslaughter charges. A court rejected his request for bail.

Comments will be moderated. Keep comments relevant to the article. Remarks containing abusive and obscene language, personal attacks of any kind or promotion will be removed and the user banned. Final decision will be at the discretion of the Taipei Times.

title: Taiwan News Quick Take


title: Grand Hi-Lai cuts staff wages by 18% to survive

content_text:
TRANSITION PERIOD:
 The hotel said that it would give those who take unpaid leave a NT$5,000 monthly subsidy, pay for their health insurance and offer interest-free loans

Kaohsiung-based Grand Hi-Lai Hotel (漢來大飯店) has temporarily cut wages for all employees by 18 percent and is encouraging them to take unpaid leave to withstand a slump in business caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The hotel, which features 540 rooms, on Thursday said that it had no choice but to take the steps to stay alive, as it does not see light at the end of the tunnel.

The pay cut, tentatively for three months, would affect all 300 employees, Grand Hi-Lai Hotel general manager Lin Zi-kuan (林子寬) said, adding that occupancy has plunged to less than 20 percent.

The Grand Hi-Lai Hotel in Kaohsiung on Tuesday lights up windows in the shape of a smiley face to celebrate Taiwan reporting no new COVID-19 cases.
 Photo: Chang Chung-i, Taipei Times

Hotel officials proposed the measure, which won the support of all staff, Lin said.

The five-star hotel had earlier shut down some floors to save costs, but concluded that further belt-tightening was necessary, Lin said.

The disease is taking a far worse toll on the local hospitality industry than the SARS outbreak in 2003, Lin said, as the number of foreign tourists has dropped to zero, while domestic travelers remain at home to avoid infection.

The industry witnessed a quick rebound 17 years ago, but there have been concerns that a recovery might prove evasive this time, as no cure has been developed for COVID-19 and the development of a vaccine is expected to take 12 to 18 months.

The Grand Hi-Lai Hotel has also encouraged employees to take unpaid leave, and it would distribute NT$5,000 in monthly subsidies and pay for their health insurance until the hotel can resume normal operations, Lin said.

The hotel is also to provide interest-free loans equivalent to 80 percent of reduced wages for two years to help those with cash needs during the transition, Lin said.

Comments will be moderated. Keep comments relevant to the article. Remarks containing abusive and obscene language, personal attacks of any kind or promotion will be removed and the user banned. Final decision will be at the discretion of the Taipei Times.


content_text:
CRITICAL COG:
 The firm is a maker of crucial parts used in a wide range of industries, and any delays in delivery of its chips could spread to the rest of their supply networks

Broadcom Inc, a chipmaker that supplies crucial components for Apple Inc’s iPhones, told clients that disruptions to the global supply chain caused by the COVID-19 pandemic means that they would need to place orders for parts six months ahead of time.

Lockdowns in Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines are “closing or severely restricting business operations,” Broadcom vice president of sales Nilesh Mistry told clients in a letter dated April 13 and seen by reporters.

“Air and sea transport options have become unreliable and become more expensive, and have increased delays,” Mistry wrote.

The San Jose, California-based company declined to comment.

Broadcom is a critical part of the supply chain for products ranging from mobile phones to data center hardware.

Any delays in the delivery of its semiconductors could spread throughout that supply network, potentially leading to missed launches of some of the world’s most high-profile and widely used electronic devices.

Wireless customers include Apple and Samsung Electronics Co, which use Broadcom chips to add Wi-Fi and other connectivity to some of the world’s best-selling smartphones.

In networking, its switch chips are the market leaders, going into machinery that is used by all of the biggest equipment makers, including Cisco Systems Inc and Huawei Technologies Co (華為), as well as companies such as Amazon.com Inc that build their own gear.

“We hope that as the global community finds better methods to address the COVID-19 pandemic, the conditions will abate and we will be able to resume our normal operations,” Mistry said in the letter.

Broadcom is part of the same supply chain that most of the world’s chipmakers use to outsource production, testing and packaging of their products.

Products from companies such as Qualcomm Inc, Nvidia Corp and Advanced Micro Devices Inc are built mostly by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (台積電), then tested and packaged by other companies in China and Southeast Asia.

Broadcom last week warned investors that it was experiencing some disruption to parts of its global supply chain.

In the “related risks” section of a regulatory filing, the company highlighted that a main warehouse and a number of assembly and test subcontractors are in Malaysia, which has shut down all nonessential businesses.

The warehouse is fully operational, but “many of the facilities of our suppliers and service providers are not,” the company said at the time.

“An extended closure of these facilities may require us to move assembly and test services to providers in other countries, and may, eventually, lead to a shortage of some components needed for our products,” Broadcom said.

“In the event restrictive measures in Malaysia are intensified and our warehouse is shut down or required to operate at a reduced capacity, our ability to deliver product to our customers would be severely limited,” it added.

Comments will be moderated. Keep comments relevant to the article. Remarks containing abusive and obscene language, personal attacks of any kind or promotion will be removed and the user banned. Final decision will be at the discretion of the Taipei Times.

companies: 台積電 Apple

title: Orders need six months of lead time: Broadcom


content_text:
‘WORKING ASSUMPTION’:
 The company is subscribing to the theory that finding antibodies in people means they have immunity for at least a limited period of time

Swiss drugmaker F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG aims by next month to offer blood tests to identify those who had been infected with the novel coronavirus, potentially helping inform locked-down nations of who might have some immunity and be able to resume work or contact with the public.

The Basel, Switzerland-based company yesterday said that it wants to make the antibody test available by early next month in countries that accept European regulatory standards and is seeking US Food and Drug Administration emergency authorization for its use in the US.

It plans to boost test production by June to “high double-digit millions” per month, Roche diagnostics head Thomas Schinecker said.

Novel coronavirus antibody test cartridges move along a Boditech Med Inc production line in Chuncheon, South Korea, yesterday.
 Photo: AP

Roche joins a global race in which US-based Abbott Laboratories and Becton Dickinson and Co, Italy’s DiaSorin and others hope to sell tests that demonstrate people’s immune systems have developed antibodies in response to the coronavirus.

While it is not yet known for sure if those who have been infected develop immunity to the coronavirus as with many other illnesses, accurate antibody tests are seen as essential to help governments worldwide create strategies to end business and travel shutdowns that have hammered the global economy.

“This is the working assumption: If you test and find people that have developed these antibodies, then at least for a certain period of time they will have gained immunity,” Schinecker told reporters.

“We worked day and night on this, over weekends, to make sure we can help as many patients as possible,” he added.

Roche’s test, which differs from polymerase chain reaction assays it also makes that use a nose swab to identify active infections, would run on more than 40,000 of its Cobas e-testing machines installed worldwide.

Roche’s new test would identify immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G antibodies.

The body quickly produces immunoglobulin M antibodies for the initial fight against infection. Immunoglobulin G antibodies remain longer in the body, suggesting possible immunity.

Nations have various plans to use such tests to better understand COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus, and identify those who were infected but showed only mild symptoms, or none at all.

Finland, Germany, Britain and other countries have antibody testing plans.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention plans to use them to study community-wide transmission.

In Roche’s home country, Switzerland, officials are examining tests, but have warned that excitement might be premature given that positive tests might say little about actual immunity.

“What you can’t say, and that’s this idea that’s going around, is that if I have the antibodies, then I know if I’m immune or not,” Swiss Federal Office of Public Health crisis management head Patrick Mathys said.

That would require more research.

Roche’s tests have met the company’s own accuracy expectations, Schinecker said, although it is not yet releasing final figures.

“We put our best scientists on this,” he said. “What we see is that the way we’ve designed the assay, it’s extremely specific.”

Comments will be moderated. Keep comments relevant to the article. Remarks containing abusive and obscene language, personal attacks of any kind or promotion will be removed and the user banned. Final decision will be at the discretion of the Taipei Times.

title: Roche joins race to make coronavirus antibody test


content_text:
CRITICAL PERIOD:
 Authorities would reassess the situation after the Golden Week holiday, the prime minister said, adding that ‘the future depends on our behavior’

The Japanese government is to offer a cash payment of ￥100,000 (US$928) to every resident, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced yesterday, as measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic decimate the world’s third-largest economy.

“We are moving quickly to deliver cash to all people,” Abe said in a televised news conference to explain his decision to expand a state of emergency nationwide.

An initial plan to provide three times that amount to households that have seen incomes slashed because of the pandemic was abandoned and Abe apologized for the confusion.

“We think the most important thing is to proceed with this speedily,” Japanese Minister of Finance Taro Aso earlier yesterday said of the cash payout, adding that the government hoped to start payments next month.

Japan has seen relatively few cases and deaths compared with hot spots in Europe and the US, but a recent spike in Tokyo — which yesterday logged a daily record of 201 new cases — has sparked concern.

Abe initially declared a state of emergency in seven regions of the country, but on Thursday expanded it to include the entire country.

He said that the decision was taken to restrict domestic travel during the Golden Week holiday late this month and early next month, when many Japanese leave cities to visit family elsewhere.

The state of emergency hands regional governors the power to demand that people stay indoors, but stops far short of restrictions seen elsewhere, as there is no legal basis for punishment of transgressions.

Authorities would reassess the situation on May 6 at the end of the public holiday, Abe said, adding: “If we can all refrain from going out, we can drastically reduce the number of patients in two weeks.”

“The future depends on our behavior,” Abe said, adding that his goal for everyone to reduce social contact by at least 70 percent was not yet being achieved.

The Japanese economy was heading for a recession even before the coronavirus crisis, contracting by 1.8 percent in the final quarter of last year.

Since then, tourism has dropped by as much as 90 percent; industry and trade have ground to a halt; and the pandemic forced the postponement of the Tokyo Summer Olympics, which were expected to provide a boost to the economy.

Last month, Abe unveiled a package of stimulus measures totaling about US$1 trillion to protect jobs, bolster the medical sector and ease the pain for working families.

Deliveries of two masks per household also began yesterday, although the move has been greeted with much derision online.

Additional reporting by Reuters

Comments will be moderated. Keep comments relevant to the article. Remarks containing abusive and obscene language, personal attacks of any kind or promotion will be removed and the user banned. Final decision will be at the discretion of the Taipei Times.

title: Japan to offer cash to all residents: Abe


content_text:
The first-year premiums of the nation’s life insurance companies plunged 37.7 percent year-on-year to a total of NT$217 billion (US$7.2 billion) in the first quarter after they cut their products’ returns due to lower interest rates and stricter regulations, the Life Insurance Association said in a report.

The decline was steeper than a 20 percent drop forecast by Fubon Life Insurance Co (富邦人壽) last month.

First-year premiums declined for all types of policies, including traditional life insurance, accident insurance and annuity insurance, which reported annual drops of 41.7 percent to NT$147 billion, 4.3 percent to NT$2.7 billion and 28.9 percent to NT$10.2 billion respectively in the first three months of this year, the report said.

Sales of investment-linked products also retreated 32 percent from a year earlier to NT$45.6 billion in the period, it said.

The only exception was the health insurance sector, which bucked the downtrend with an 8.3 percent year-on-year increase in sales to NT$10.7 billion in the first quarter, as consumers paid more attention to their health insurance coverage amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it added.

Life insurers, which have seen their sales deteriorate since January, faced bigger challenges amid a low interest rate environment caused by the central bank cutting its rates by 25 basis points and the US Federal Reserve’s emergency rate cuts of 1.5 percentage points, the report said.

With the lower interest rates, insurers continued to reduce their products’ declared interest rates, which determine the bonuses that policyholders can receive, it said.

Declared interest rates for most New Taiwan dollar-denominated interest rate-sensitive policies offered by major insurers were slashed to 2 percent or less after the rate cuts, it added, marking a considerable drop from 2.7 percent a year earlier.

Sales were also negatively affected by the Financial Supervisory Commission on Jan. 1 reducing insurers’ liability reserve interest rates by 25 basis points, which caused an average increase of about 2 to 3 percent in premiums for new policyholders, the report said.

Meanwhile, the growing epidemic prevented salespeople from visiting clients, which has also negatively affected sales, it said.

The commission requiring target-maturity bond funds to be linked with policies that only invest in bonds with ratings of at least “BBB” led to insurers offering lower investment returns on investment-linked products, which caused a drop in sales, it added.

Comments will be moderated. Keep comments relevant to the article. Remarks containing abusive and obscene language, personal attacks of any kind or promotion will be removed and the user banned. Final decision will be at the discretion of the Taipei Times.

title: Insurers’ first-year premiums plunge