Taiwan’s Experience in Managing COVID-19 and the Impact on Medical Students : An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

  In the past several months, the globe was overwhelmed by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. As rising number of documented cases and mortality toll continued to be reported, it is imperative to reexamine the current healthcare system as well as consider the repercussion on medical society. The condition in Taiwan, although expected critical regarding close intertwine with epicenter, was relatively stable thus far given multiple efforts paid, suggesting the experiences here may serve as a reference for other countries. In this review, the progression of COVID-19 was illustrated. Additionally, four aspects of implemented measures were introduced, and their respective implications were discussed. First, national team production and name-based allocation, followed by map-directed and online pre-order system, ensured the public to obtain enough surgical masks. Second, constant advocacy of the quarantine policies and personal hygiene, in conjunction with regular press conference by officials, accomplished message transparency and citizens’ literacy upon the situation. Third, establishment of the traffic control bundle successfully antagonized nosocomial infection and prevented subsequent clusters. Forth, biomedical research not only propelled the elucidation of the COVID-19 pathogenesis but also facilitated the development of potential medications and even vaccination. Furthermore, the impact on medical education was delineated. Reorganization of training curriculum, distance learning, and the practice of virtual meeting reshaped the landscape of clinical training. In conclusion, through conscientious appraisal on how we confronted COVID-19 will the community be better prepared for the next pandemic