I'm currently working on an exciting public health project titled "Comparative Impact of COVID-19 Policy Interventions for Omicron Variant Clinical Outcomes between Taiwan and the United States." This study aims to understand how different COVID-19 policies, like lockdowns, social distancing, and vaccination efforts, impact people's health during the spread of the Omicron variant. By comparing Taiwan's and the United States' approaches on a regional and time-variant level, the goal is to identify effective strategies that can support global pandemic preparedness guidelines, particularly those proposed in the WHO's Pandemic Agreement Article 9.

Taiwan and the United States have taken quite different approaches to handling the pandemic. Taiwan is known for its quick and stringent measures, including tight border controls and rapid contact tracing at the beginning of the pandemic. In contrast, the United States has seen a more varied response, with different policies across states, yet both countries are experiencing continuous human loss due to this virus. By analyzing these two countries' responses, the project aims to uncover what works best in managing the virus and protecting public health.

I’m using data from several sources, including COVID-19 case numbers, vaccination rates, and government policy measures. In addition to analyzing this data, I plan to conduct interviews with experts from the Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics and Taiwan CDC. These conversations will provide valuable insights into the strategies and challenges of pandemic response.

In the coming weeks, I will visit rural hospitals in Taiwan and also observe how COVID-19 policies, like mask-wearing, are being practiced in real-world settings. This hands-on experience will help me see the impact of these policies firsthand and understand how people respond to them.

Currently, Taiwan is experiencing over 100 deaths per week due to the Omicron variant, making it the most severe infectious disease the country faces. This situation highlights the urgent need to continuously refine our approach to handling the pandemic.

On a personal note, my time in Taiwan has been incredibly enriching. I've had the chance to visit beautiful places in Taipei and Keelung including the Zhengbin Port Color Houses, Helping Island Geopark, Marine Technology Museum, Badouzi Seaside Park, and the bustling night markets. These visits have given me a wonderful insight into the local culture right before this week's major typhoon!

I'm deeply grateful for the opportunity to meet and work with so many kind and brilliant medical students and public health researchers at National Taiwan University. Their hospitality and willingness to share knowledge have been invaluable to my work. This journey is not just about data and analysis; it’s about learning from each other and building connections that transcend borders.

I'm looking forward to sharing more findings and stories as this project progresses. Stay tuned!