[Do you need a Phase III trial?]

The world could soon have its first Taiwan-made COVID-19 vaccine… that’s if Taiwan’s Food and Drug Administration gives it the green light. But without results from a Phase III trial, some people say the authorities are moving too fast. So what is Taiwan’s approach to emergency use authorization for vaccines? How does it compare to other countries? And what does “immuno-bridging” even mean? Staś Butler has the answers.

[COVID-19 advances on a global tech center]

Outbreaks at high-tech factories in Taiwan have resulted in hundreds of confirmed cases of COVID-19. Authorities have moved quickly to isolate cases, but human rights groups say Miaoli County’s decision to ban migrant workers from leaving their dorms is discriminatory. 

[This iPhone maker wants to get vaccines for Taiwan]

With just 2% of the population vaccinated, Taiwan is doing it’s best to get more vaccines. Prior to this week, it was illegal for private entities to import foreign vaccines, but the government has changed its tune. Now, Foxconn founder Terry Gou and others are exploring their options, with oversight from the government.

[We’re at Level 2!]

Health officials raised Taiwan’s COVID alert to Level 2 this week after a spike in local cases. In today’s Taiwan Explained, find out what that entails, and what it takes to order a lockdown! 

Links:

Taiwan's four COVID-19 alert levels and how they affect you (Focus Taiwan):

https://focustaiwan.tw/society/202105120005

Hear about the joys, challenges and sacrifices of modern moms in Taiwan in this speacial Mother's Day segment honoring mothers in Taiwan.

[What’s it like to be a star in Taiwan?]

Janice Yan knew she wanted to be a singer since she was nine. Twenty years later, she has two studio albums under her belt and has been named a KKBOX Artist of the Year. Janice’s career took off in the age of the Internet, and she says that social media has been both a blessing and a curse throughout her career. Leslie Liao sits down with Janice to learn more about her journey and what it’s like to be a star in Taiwan.

[Just three ingredients]

Don’t let Big Boba dictate how much pearl milk tea you can drink during the boba shortage of 2021! Make it yourself. Andrew Ryan heads into the test kitchen to show you how it’s done. 

CAN YOU FREEZE BOBA? 

The answer is a resounding YES! Rinse the cooked boba and then line them up in a single layer in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze.

To reheat, break apart the boba into individual balls (might be easier if they thaw slightly). Toss them in boiling water for five minutes, then turn off the heat and let them continue to sit in the covered pot for five more minutes. Remove from the water and add brown sugar to taste. (If you like them less gloopy, rinse in room-temp water before adding the sugar.)

LINKS:

We consulted a lot of recipes for boba, but settled on the amounts used in this one by Dream Home Chef: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiB2RVRzxYQ

[You can pay for them starting April 21!]

Taiwan opened up vaccinations to three more priority groups this week, and announced that some overseas travelers will be able to pay for the vaccine out-of-pocket. Watch to find out who is eligible and how much it will cost.