This is a question most parents have had to ask at least once or twice in their lives; and with everything going on recently, who can blame them? Dominating the headlines the past few weeks were the Facebook scandal where Cambridge Analytica mined data from Facebook users without their permission, as well as Melania Trump vowing to take on cyberbullying even thought she shares a roof with a person who constantly belittles and bullies people online. Even though Facebook and Twitter has been at the center of these controversies, it is important for parents to better understand how social media influences their children, especially with regard to cyberbullying.
I have been an avid user of social media from the days of MySpace until now. I have profiles on multiple platforms where I enjoy interacting with people from across the world, and share my life and special events with those who follow me. For the most part, I have enjoyed my experience, except for the occasional weird encounter, but this all changed 48 hours ago. I have recently started using Instagram, and as a whole it has been an interesting experience, but 48 hours ago a person using the pseudonym Ally started posting homophobic messages, that are clearly hate speech and of a bullying nature, on my profile.
“@therealprincecharming gays are cancers. And your body is full of F*** FAGGOT VIRUSES!!!!!!!!!” (1)
“@therealprincecharming What? You want to let viruses like gay spread all over the world. I mean you can say gay is the right of every human being and in a few years you will say pedophile is the right of every human being. legalize something sin and wrongdoing? you are really sick” (2)
Being an adult, I can fend for myself, and I do not put too much stock in what people like this think about me or my lifestyle, but I started wondering how these kinds of things influence younger social media users. My friends and I reported the user and the comments to Instagram, and I waited to see how long Instagram would take to help a user that was being bullied. To my surprise, 15 hours later, my friends and I got messages from Instagram stating:
“therealprincehcharming, thank you for taking the time to report cijeah24’s account. While we reviewed the account you reported for hate speech or symbols and found it does not violate our Community Guidelines, reports like yours are an important part of making Instagram a safe and welcoming place for everyone.” (2)
Saying that I was disappointed with Instagram’s response to cyberbullying would be the understatement of the year. Their lack of taking responsibility for their users could have real world consequences. Peng Hsin-y, aka ‘Cindy’ (a Taiwanese celebrity), committed suicide in April 2015 after being bullied online. A study done by the Child Welfare League Foundation (CWLF) in 2015 found that “approximately 74.1% of students considered online bullying a problem [and only] 43% of bullying victims sought help from website managers, teachers or professional counselors; 42% reacted by retaliating.” (3)
Statistics like these paint a dark picture of the world our youth is entering. According to the Instagram help website, Instagram requires their users to be aged 13 or older (4) but according to the Instagram application, it is “rated for 12+” (5). Even though this is a minor detail, how can we trust a company like Instagram to keep our children safe, when they can’t even agree on a common age across their own platform? The reason why age restrictions are so important is because young people absorb things differently than adults do. Whereas adults might brush off some negative comments, young people sometimes internalize it, which could lead to depression, anti-social behavior or even thoughts about committing suicide. How are social media companies keeping our youth safe?
I tried to contact Instagram via their own medium which didn’t work, so then I tried contacting them through Facebook by posting on their fan pages as well as tagging them in a comment with screenshots of the hate speech that I received. I have yet to receive a response other than the one mentioned earlier.
If there was an infant car seat out there that only worked 70% or 80% of the time, would you still take the risk of letting your child be strapped into it? If your answer is no, then why would you allow your child to be on social media, such as Instagram, where his/her mental wellbeing could be in danger? “Seven per cent of young social network users said they had been bullied on the Facebook-owned photo app.” (6) Even if your child gathered the courage to report the person bullying him/her, then what is the guarantee that Instagram would resolve the matter in a timely manner? Speaking from experience, I would not bet on it.
If someone is being bullied, regardless age or sex, it is the company’s responsibility to step in and put a stop to it. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. So I will ask you again, “Are your kids truly safe on social media?”
Every year, several hundred thousand young people travel south to Taiwan’s premier beach town for the long holiday the first weekend of April. Many thousands will attend 2018 夏都春宴 Spring Break on the Beach, at Kenting’s only 5 star Beach resort, Chateau 墾丁夏都沙灘酒店.
On Friday, April 6th and Saturday, April 7th, 2018, On the Beach and Chateau Hotel and Resort will host Taiwan’s biggest beach party. Gates open at 2pm. Spring Breakers will be able to enjoy two days at the most beautiful Beach resort in Taiwan, organized sports, world class sound and lighting, international and local performers, and three hours of open bar.
For over 20 years, the youth of Taiwan have flocked to Kenting for a long weekend of music, drinks and partying. Spring Break on the Beach has continued this tradition the last 5 years with an average annual attendance of over 10,000 people. Taiwan’s growing interest in beach culture has fueled the festival’s rise and made it consistently one of the most memorable parties of the year.
Organized sporting events will include ultimate frisbee, beach soccer, american football, volleyball and brazilian jiujitsu. During the day DJs will spin latin, hip hop, reggae and other beach jams. Guests can swim in one of several swimming pools overlooking the beach and take advantage of an open bar serving bottomless beer and cocktails from 3pm to 6pm both days.
After the sun goes down, the energy will rise and DJs and dancers will take the party up a notch. This year, the organizers are bringing DJ B Jones, a staple of the world’s most famous beach party scene. She has held residencies at Ibiza’s Pacha, Mambo, KM5, Nassau Beach Club, Blue Marlin and Privilege.
Rounding out 2018’s festival bill are over 50 local and international performers, including ICRT personalities DJ Chamber and Famous, Elektro Taipei’s Double G, Triangle Taipei’s DJ Crosscutz, 18TC’s Alex36, Brickyard resident international lady of mystery, DJ MoneyDick, and many others.
Party goers have a chance to be part of the entertainment too. Each night at 8pm, the infamous Bikini Dance Off gives participants, both male and female, 30 seconds to impress the crowd. The winner receives a cash prize of NT$10,000. Contestants are reminded not to break Taiwan’s public decency laws in their quest to impress.
Early bird tickets are sold out. But presale tickets to Spring Break are still available at all 711 and Family Mart locations through their automated ticketing kiosks, online at KKTIX, and at partner venues like Triangle and Elektro in Taipei, 18TC in Taichung and Brickyard in Kaohsiung. A two day pass costs NT$1500 and one day passes are available at Ibon and Famiport for NT$1100.
台灣經典本土派對盛事 夏都春宴春假轟炸南台灣
重金禮聘歐洲派對知名駐店DJ壓軸演出
二十組國際與本土藝人輪番上陣 多元曲風再造南台灣派對天堂
年年吸引大批年輕樂迷及派對子民們、於國內外皆享富盛名的南台灣派對「夏都春宴 Spring Break on the Beach」將於4月6、7日正式登場，要與墾丁的艷陽一起點燃大家的派對魂！今年夏都春宴將把沙灘派對提升至更高的境界，除了邀請歐洲派對盛地伊比薩(Ibiza)的知名駐場DJ演出，以及眾多國內外知名DJ帶來多重音樂曲風外，亦安排了趣味健康的沙灘運動賽事，搭配國際級水準的燈光音響、五星級的國際飯店住宿體驗及無限暢飲的酒水，從白天到夜晚熱情不間斷，不僅讓參與者能夠體驗兼容本土與國際音樂元素，其中的「春宴比基尼大賽」還有萬元獎金可拿，共同在墾丁歡度為期兩天的極致饗宴！
今年壓軸演出的國際女DJ B Jones，於世界聞名的歐洲第一派對島嶼-伊比薩各大知名夜店如Pacha等擔任駐場DJ多年，熟知島嶼派對的享樂主義，擅長藉由音樂帶領群眾進入激昂的音樂境界。她的曲風帶有前衛狂野的吉普賽精神，卻又能夠保有渾然天成的電子音樂精緻感，勢必將伊比薩的熱情派對魅力，毫無保留地獻給台灣樂迷，不用花大錢就能感受到高規格的電音饗宴。
除了DJ B Jones外，本次演出DJ的實力亦不同小覷。DJ Matthew 戴馬修自2002年發跡，2009年曾獲ICRT評選為「最佳Local DJ」，他致力推廣中文舞曲文化，獨到的音樂敏銳度及精準的選曲，個人魅力與人氣指數破表！有著「音樂界鬼才」之稱的DJ Golden擁有30年的演出資歷，歷經上千場派對演出的洗禮，音樂儼然以成為他的本能，總能讓派對子民們耽溺在他的音樂中無法自拔! 其他演出藝人如:來自加拿大的DJ Kreamer及DJ DUB C、2011年被Breakspoll DJ大獎提名「世界最佳碎拍DJ」的英國DJ Chamber、音樂風格充滿加勒比海風情的DJ Praddmix、來自美國的嘻哈饒舌歌手Nazz及Dejuan Momon、國際知名W hotel酒吧WOOBAR駐場法籍DJ CROSS CUTZ，以及I&I World系列派對創始人的DJ Irie等。短短兩天，夏都春宴將帶給派對狂熱份子們物超所值的享受!
Depression has been regarded by the UN World Health Organization as the three major diseases of the new century. According to the UN World Health Organization, there are at least about 50 million people with depression in Asia and their numbers are on the rise. By 2020, depression and heart disease will have become the top two diseases that affect human lives. Currently, there are about 2 million people suffering from depression in Taiwan, and 97% of them don’t reach out for help.
Now WARM (Women Anonymous Reconnecting Mentally) is trying to do something about it. WARM (Women Anonymous Reconnecting Mentally) is a women’s mental health support group in Taipei. Since December, 2017, WARM has been supporting women’s mental health, and has become a necessary part of their members’ lives. WARM IS THE FIRST AND ONLY mental health support group in Taiwan. WARM has been improving and inspiring women’s lives for the better since December, 2017.
Mental illness is extremely stigmatized in Taiwan. Treatments of depression in Taiwanese clinics are poorly covered by health insurance, it only covers about 2% to 4% of the expenses. On top of that, a single therapy session can cost about 100-120 USD.
In WARM, women meet up every Sunday. WARM provides women in Taiwan a safe platform to discuss anything that is plaguing their mental health. Generally speaking, in Taiwan, a therapy session is 50 minutes a week, a doctor’s visit is about 10-20 minutes a week, once we leave the clinics, we are all on our own again. WARM is trying to break that cycle and create a community that offers support 24/7. WARM further posts encouraging posts in their Facebook group and interactive questions or weekly challenges, such as: “look into the mirror and say ‘I accept you’ for three times, comment below and get a chance on this exclusive WARM gift”. WARM makes sure that they incentivize women every single day without failing.
In WARM, women are empowered by listening and sharing. Topics which were previously considered “unspeakable” or “weak”, or something to “be ashamed of” for women are now being spoken and discussed. Sensitive topics such as rape, abortion, body image and abuse are boldly discussed in WARM. They have given their members a voice and a place to talk about their traumas. More importantly, WARM is a place for women to find closure, support and healing. WARM exemplifies that mental health is as important as physical health, no one chooses to be sick voluntarily.
Recently WARM has been featured in the Taiwan Observer, Taiwan News, Taipei Times, and ICRT. This shows how much society needs them and the important jobs they are doing. They are not a group therapy but a support group. They do not offer professional treatment to “fix” people, but guide their members to seek professional help outside of the group when necessary. The WARM meeting style is based on the AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) format, providing a safe platform for women to share and encourage each other. WARM has a safe and effective platform for women with mental health related issues. It has been proven by past meetings that WARM’s structure is more than helpful to their members.
WARM holds their weekly meetings at MOWES, a community space run by and for women. Besides their weekly Sunday meetings, they have various events dedicated to mental health at different venues with a wide selection of partners to collaborate with. WARM is the true example of what happens when people unite, speak up and raise their voice for themselves. WARM believes: together, we can fight anything, even the profound stigma of mental illness. WARM is trying their best to not just be a support group, but a cause for de-stigmatizing mental health and raising awareness about mental health. WARM’s ultimate goal is that hopefully, WARM won’t need to exist one day. When that day comes, hopefully, we can walk up to a stranger, and say “Hey, I don’t know you, but I support you.”.
This is the link to WARM’s Facebook group (ladies only): https://www.facebook.com/groups/323198761492476/
The link to WARM’s Facebook page (for the public) : https://m.facebook.com/warmoftheday
In less than one week, Taiwan will witness a truly unprecedented party. The critical mass has been reached, and a build-up of Filipino rappers, DJs, dancers and other Hip-Hop artists has come together to organize this unique event.
Lakalan1 is an event organized for the Filipino community by nationals of the Philippine islands themselves. The event will happen during the upcoming Lunar New Year on two separate days.
The first bash will take place on Feb. 17, 2018 at 1 pm in Taichung city (台中) at Super Club YYG located on the sixth floor of First Square, Li Chuan West Street.
The second party will take place on Feb 18, 2018 at 2pm at Focus Disco bar located in the basement on 32 JinZhou Street in Zhongshan District.
The partygoers expected to turn up at the party are mostly to be OFWs, a Filipino term for migrant worker meaning: “Overseas Filipino Worker”.
The event will feature an all Filipino group “Brown 101” and “FlipTop Battle League” as well as other rappers, singers, and dancers hailing from the Philippines.
The group “Brown 101” is a collective of Filipino hip hop artists that gather in Zhongli to spit bars and produce new beats.
According to Focustaiwan ( http://focustaiwan.tw/ ) the group consists of rappers and DJs from across Taiwan, including Jigsaw, JMT, Ely Romero, Zedrick who is also known as Decoy, Dee Third, Gobas Kalbaryo, Ichiro, Jeckoi, Joey Write, Antipatiko, Oomblast, Diablo/Deeplowmatic, DJ Jhang, DJ MP, DJ EUGZ, DJ Tred, DJ UDE, Dicky Fox, DJ Sheen, and Jo Flava.
Group’s music producer Gobas Kalbaryo posts results of their creative meeting on his YouTube channel.
The two events will consist of various performances and three 90-second rap battles, as well as a twerking competition!
The six battle rappers that will square off during the events are: Romano, Mhot, J-King, Decoy, Jigsaw and Aklas.
A part of the profit from these two events will be given to the LITRO Babies Phils Inc – LIver TRansplant Operation ( https://www.facebook.com/LITRObabiesphils/ ), a foundation for babies in who need liver transplant operating in the Philippines.
These are the names of the producers and organizers of this first one ever gig:
Head organizer: Allan Viray
Co-organizers: Angelito Penuaga, Jefferson Candido, Paul John Macapinlac, Jayson Suarez, Bobby Clizzel Valdez
Looking back at the last 20-odd years of earthquakes and disasters in Taiwan and elsewhere in the region, one can learn a few lessons and prepare some necessities to ensure that you can survive similar scenarios to what we have seen play out here.
Disasters in Taiwan
Disaster scenarios
1. AT HOME, BUILDING DAMAGED, BUT YOU CAN GET OUT (The 9/21/1999 Earthquake)
During the earthquake of 9/21, we were living on the 10th floor of an apartment building in Taoyuan. The building swayed to such an extent that our bed moved away from the wall by about a meter. We got the kids into jackets and shoes in between violent aftershocks, and got them down the stairwell and bundled into the car. We covered them up with the duvet we had brought down with us, drove to an open space, and spent an
An image showing aftermath of earthquake that occured on Sep 21st, 1999.
uncomfortable night sleeping in the car. The next day we spent driving around because there were still aftershocks and we thought the apartment was unsafe. 7-11 remained open but all necessities were quickly sold out. All other businesses and restaurants were closed, ATMS were dead, so we were running out of cash. On the 3rd day we found a lone bank employee with a generator, running one ATM! We snacked on whatever we could find at 7-11. Eventually we returned, but we had no electricity and no water for over a week. We did have gas supply so we could cook. The most severe problem, that was the most immediately sign that you were in a state of emergency, was the fact that without water, you can’t flush the toilet. We developed a system of only flushing once a day, and getting water out of the swimming pool for that. Carrying a 20l can of water up 10 flights of stairs was no joke, and that was barely enough for one flush. The men peed into the sink. It was almost 2 weeks before things were normal again.
2. AT WORK (The Fukushima 2011 earthquake)
You’re at work. You are uninjured but you need to get home. You don’t know where your loved ones are or if they are safe. PHONES ARE DOWN. Cellphone networks are vulnerable to damage to towers, complete power outages, and system overload immediately after a disaster. In Taoyuan after the 9/21 earthquake it took several hours before I was able to send and receive text messages. During the Fukushima earthquake, some of my colleagues in Tokyo chose to walk home because all transportation was halted. Some of them walked for FIVE HOURS in very unsuitable shoes.
3. AT HOME, BUILDING TOPPLES, YOU ARE TRAPPED (The Tainan 2/6/2016 earthquake)
You wake up to the building toppling. Everything happens incredibly quickly. Everything slides down, you are trapped at an awkward angle, with only the stuff next to your bed in a mess around you. You get the weight of the bed off you where it crushed you against the wall. The water pipes break and the water tanks on the roof tip out their contents. There is a gush of water, some of which drenches you. You are stuck in a narrow space because the floors pancaked. It is dark and cold. You can smell gas. A piece of rebar gashed your leg. It’s not bleeding too badly, but you’re not sure if it’s fractured. You are in shock. It may take hours, even days, before rescuers can get to you. You need to let them know you are alive so they can hone in on you. You need to dry out, give yourself first aid, you need to keep warm, and you need to keep your spirits up. You have to stay alive.
Some general thoughts in no particular order:
Have a plan
When the building is violently shaking and shelves come crashing down, it’s well past the time for you to think, “Aaaah what should I do?”
Discuss with all members of your household, and have a solid plan.
LARGE-SCALE DESTRUCTION such as in Haiti or Nepal is uncommon in Taiwan. It’s usually just single buildings that go down. If your building is still standing after the first shake, chances are that it will stay that way. If you can get out, you are safe – you can get to shelter, you will get government assistance, you can also go stay with friends or family – Best to have this conversation before disaster strikes.
Remember to take your house keys, with you, keep duplicates in your bag – you don’t want to evacuate, stay outside in the cold for a while and then discover you’ve locked yourself out of the house.
Keep your floors clear of kids’ toys etc. … you don’t want to be tripping over Legos in the dark.
Include your pets’ needs in your preparations.
If you keep your shoes by the door, keep at least a pair of flipflops right by your bed.
A car provides shelter and warmth and relative comfort, and the ability to get out of danger. If you have one, it is a very important part of your plan.
Check Websites/FB Groups if people offering help and rooms, and mark yourself safe.
EVACUATION CENTERS are usually at a school in the neighborhood. Go there to get help, to be accounted for, and to find loved ones. Don’t just bug out and go sit it out somewhere without letting people know you are safe.
WHAT TO DO WHEN THE EARTHQUAKE HITS
Usually the following applies:
The building starts shaking. You wake up and assess.
Is the building just swaying, and then stops?You can probably just go back to sleep.
Is the building groaning and things falling off shelves?You should probably leave.
Is the building tilting/pancaking, pieces of concrete breaking out of ceiling and walls? – You should protect your head as best you can, ride it out. This will be a very violent experience, it usually happens VERY quickly. You will probably be hurt. Once everything settles down, check yourself for injuries, control any bleeding first, get your flashlight from your grab bag, and seek an escape route. Be careful of upsetting things that are precariously balanced. If there is no escape, keep warm, treat yourself with what you have to hand, try to communicate to let others know you are alive and your location (blow a whistle, tap on beams or pipes) and sit tight. YOU WILL BE RESCUED. The Taiwan Rescue Services are very experienced, very well equipped, and they do not stop before they have every single person accounted for.
IF YOU DECIDE TO EVACUATE
It’s best to NOT try to run out of a building when things are still shaking and falling. That’s the most vulnerable period. It’s best to STAY and COVER. Get under a table or bed or doorway (pick out suitable spots in EACH room beforehand) or whatever will protect you against falling things. Wait for the shaking to subside.
Now grab the THINGS ON YOUR BEDSIDE TABLE and your BUG OUT BAG (be prepared for aftershocks, take cover again if they come immediately)
PUT ON YOUR SHOES, PUT ON A JACKET, GRAB CHILDREN OR PETS, (maybe sit out another aftershock)
TURN OFF WATER AND GAS MAINS
THEN GET DOWN THE STAIRWELL AS CALMLY AND QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
ONCE OUTSIDE, you now have the option to wait and see if it’s safe to go back inside, get in your car and get out of the area, or, if your building catastrophically collapses, vacate the area so that emergency services can get in, and get to a shelter.
NOTE ON IF YOU WANT TO HELP:
Some people will find their first instinct is to help others who may be trapped. In fact, in most disasters, such as the Haiti and Fukushima earthquakes, the first 24 hours is when MOST people are rescued – mostly under their own steam, or helped by relatives and others – many of them dug out by people using their bare hands. Therefore in my earthquake kit I have a hammer, cold chisel, hacksaw, pry bar, gloves, goggles and helmet. However, while I have had SOME experience with this kind of thing, I know my limitations. Once the trained and equipped emergency services arrive, give them whatever useful information you may have, then GET OUT OF THEIR WAY.
The FIRST RULE of rescue work is: DON’T BECOME A CASUALTY YOURSELF.
EARTHQUAKE EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT LIST
This is my list. Yours may be tailored according to your needs. Some of these are essentials, others can be described as “comfort Items”.
1. ON YOUR BEDSIDE TABLE:
Here you should have the stuff that you really cannot do without, things that you can grab in an instant – or, should you be trapped, they are immediately to hand.
Phone on charge
Wallet with money and ID
Shoes
Keys
Automatic flashlight (plugged into wall, this keeps its charge and switches on automatically when there is a power failure)
2. BUG-OUT BAG
This bag should be tailored to your specific needs and will change depending on your household situation, do you have pets or children to provide for, etc. You might prepare a bag for each member of the family. This should ideally also be reachable from your bed.
Personal ID
Folder with personal documents
Beanie hat
Warm gloves
Scarf
Hand warmers
Sweater
LED Flashlight
Multi-tool
Umbrella
Powerbank for phone plus variety of cables
Wallet with 5k and small change Masks
Work Gloves
Lighter
Light plastic raincoat/s
Small roll plastic bags
Goggles
Whistle
Spare Reading glasses
Spare keys to everything including car
Cigarettes
Hard candy/chocolate nuts
Small first-aid kit:
Band-aids
Iodine
Gauze
Bandage
Sanitary towels
Aspirin
Antacid
Water purification tablets
Paper clips
Safety pins
Dental floss
Any meds that you depend on
USB Memory stick with:
Scans of Passports
ARCs
Will
Family photos
Car registration
Medical info
Emergency contacts in other city/country
Change of socks/underwear
Wind-up charger/flashlight
Pry bar for jammed doors
Spare batteries for flashlight
Toothbrush/toothpaste
Wetwipes
Sudoku
Pen/pencil
Strong metal water bottle
Jacket
Small battery-powered FM radio
Roll of plastic bags
Toilet tissue
Duct tape
Helmet (skating helmet is cheap and will protect against falling things.)
3. Elsewhere in your house:
Know where the electricity, water and gas taps are to shut them off. Do so if you have an orderly evacuation. In fact, it might be a good idea even to turn your gas tap off every evening before going to bed.
Fire extinguisher
Large water container with water (for toilet)
Smaller water container (drinking)
Battery –powered LED Room Light
Large plastic bags
Duct tape
Canned food – soups etc.
Dry noodles
Pastas
Rice
Trail mix
Pet food
Candles (Naked flame only to be used if 100% sure no gas leak!)
Stock of batteries for devices, flashlights etc.
Toilet foam (Spray into bowl to cover sight and smell so you can flush less.)
Battery-powered FM Radio
4. Always in car:
Fire Extinguisher
Silver windshield sunscreens
Machete
Wood saw
Hand axe
Pry bar
Folding Table
Folding chairs
Tarp
Large Umbrellas
Blanket
5. EXTENDED CAR KIT
What you keep in your car is a very personal choice. Many things like food on this list will spoil if you leave in your car too long. Maybe you could have a bin in your house in which you keep those items, and only put it in your car during heightened risk periods, like typhoons approaching, or earthquake swarms like we’ve been having. You can also check the expiry date on things at least once a year and swap them out. I like to camp so a lot of the stuff I have in my car is to survive in an outdoors, camping, living-out-of-the-car situation, but that would be almost unheard of in Taiwan, you will be better off going to a shelter or with friends.
COOKING
Camping stove and gas canisters
Camping pot x 2
Can opener
Knives/forks/spoons
Bowls
Plastic cups
Kitchen knife
Cutlery
Dry food
Energy bars
Dry noodles
Canned foods
Hard candy
Baby stuff (Even if you don’t have a baby yourself, diapers are good for wound dressings, and also for barter with families with babies)
Wetwipes
2 small Towels
Sanitary towels
Flipflops for everyone
Wide duct tape
20l Water bottle
Bucket
Toilet seat
Toilet paper
Roll black garbage bags
Disposable underwear & socks
Books:
Survival manual
First-aid manual
Novel
ESCAPE/RESCUE TOOLS
3lb hammer
Cold chisel
Pry bar
Hatchet
Hacksaw
Wire cutters
Pliers
Adjustable wrench
Gloves
Masks
Goggles
Water and gas main wrenches?
Scissors
HYGIENE
Soap
Shampoo
Dental floss (roll, many uses)
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Toothpicks
Dishwashing liquid
Green oil for insect repellant/smell
Firestarters
Windproof Lighter
Sunglasses
Candles
Solar charging panel
Blow up travel pillow
Umbrellas
Raincoats
Reflective vest
SD card
Spare camera battery
Ziploc bags
Pack of cards
Rope – paracord, climbable rope, towing rope
Sleeping bag
Bleach
Aluminum foil
FIRST AID KIT
Painkiller
Antiseptic
Wound clotting
Tourniquet
Stretch bandage
Wound Gauze
Stomach medicine
Bottle of saline
Sanitary pads
Lip balm
Sunscreen
Water purification
FOOD
Foodstuffs – candy, trail mix, energy bars
Cans of food
Hard candy
Trail mix
Energy bar
Baby Porridge/food
Multivitamins
Pao mien
Pet food
6. At the office:
Small backpack with:
SHOES
Gloves
Hat
Scarf
Raincoat
Umbrella
Empty water bottle (fill up from water dispenser immediately)
Candy
Emergency phone numbers of family members
7. TO GRAB:
All the stuff you keep by your bedside
SHOES
Clothes
Bug-out bag
Camera bags
8. TO BUY immediately if available:
Draw all cash money if possible
Water – 20l
Bread
Snacks
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In closing, remember that Taiwan has had a lot of experience in dealing with disasters, and if you can survive the first hours of an event, you will probably be ok.
On Feb. 6, 2018 at 11:50 PM Taiwan experienced another massive earthquake the largest in a series of earthquakes hitting Taiwan in the last few days. A building in Hualien has collapsed with photos emerging on social media right after the quake. The building is a hotel called Marshal Hotel (統帥大飯店). At this time it is unclear how many people were staying at the hotel when it collapsed. Rescue teams are currently responding to the situation.
Other images of damage was posted on Taiwan Observer’s Facebook post show damage to the Hualien Armed Forces General Hospital (花蓮國軍醫院) winch had part of the ceiling collapse. The hospital is next to to another building that has also collapsed. The Beautiful Life hotel building is teetering very close to the edge of total collapse.
Power outages have also effected the area after the quake, around 700 properties are currently without service.
Hualien Bridge, Chishingtan Bridge, and the Su-Hua highway have been reported closed due to damage by local media outlets.
Here is a live video of the rescue operation underway now at the Beautiful Life Hotel building:
Live TV coverage of the situation.
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On Sunday evening, the peak of what is said to be the coldest weekend of the year, the island was struck by a series of earthquakes.
The strongest earthquakes felt throughout the night occurred at the following times, all originating in or near Hualien County: 9:12 PM with a magnitude of 5.1, 9:56 PM with a magnitude of 5.8, and 10:13 PM with a magnitude of 5.5.
There was an alert sent out by the government for the earthquake at 9:56 PM for what is by far the strongest earthquake of the night.
A refinery owned by CPC Corporation (中油) in Taoyuan city saw huge blast that lasted nearly one minute, according to local residents. Many people said that their windows rattled and belongings on the shelves rang. The explosion happened at 6:42 a.m. A big cloud of smoke was hanging over Northern part of Taoyuan by the Freeway No.1 leading to and from Linkou.
Emergency services were sent to the scene immediately and the fire was put out in less than one hour. No refinery’s workers were hurt in the blast.
the Taoyuan Environmental Protection Agency said in a statement that the corporation will be fined NT$1 million (US$34,000) for all the toxic smoke released in the residential area.
On the 27th of this month Nuke ‘em all celebrates a year of bringing its unfiltered sound to the dancefloors across Taipei with a special event at Revolver. Based on a legendary club night in east London, UK from the late 00’s, the Taiwanese version has truly carried on the legacy by mixing DJ’s playing raw electronic music, live hip-hop MC’s and delightful visuals from Leeds based artist NDYSAF.
The premise behind the event is simple, to promote underground electronic music from local Taiwanese artists as well as foreign DJ’s and producers currently residing in Taipei.
For the 1st birthday Nuke ‘em all invites award winning Taiwanese artist Dizparity aka Po Cheng Yeh, who released his debut album ‘夜相Night Phase’ last year on Dark Paradise Records and was nominated for the 8th Golden Indie Melody award.
Support comes from US born future funk artist Consumer. Electronics, French house DJ and promoter Touché and Nuke ‘em all resident Hassan Raphael.
Nuke ‘em all’s 1st birthday is on the 27th January at Revolver, Taipei, from 23:00 – 4:00. Tickets are available on the door for $300 with a drink before 12, and $150 after.
Recently one of the Taiwan Observer correspondents took a trip to Europe. Here are some photos of the Vatican museum. The museum is one of the all time must see spots in Italy. This is what you can see as you go trough the Vatican museum on your way to the famous Sistine chapel, unfortunately there aren’t any photos of the Sistine chapel from our correspondent because you aren’t allowed to take pictures of it. Other than that pictures of everything else are a plenty, and don’t disappoint. Stay tuned for more amazing pictures from other parts of Europe, and let us take you on a little visual journey outside of Taiwan.
Taiwan Observer 