When COVID-19 Prevention Becomes a War: The Gendered Understanding of Legitimate Patients and Good Citizenship

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing inequalities. Little is known, however, about the more subtle impact of governmental, as well as societal responses to COVID-19, on intersectional forms of oppressions. Using a case study of Taiwan – one of the few countries in the world to have successfully eradicated domestic coronavirus – I investigate the extent to which hegemonic masculinity plays a role in driving and helping Taiwan to combat the pandemic. I argue that the People’s Republic of China’s alienation of Taiwan in the international community has motivated Taiwan to stay COVD-free. Drawing from stigma theory, I also argue that the collective goal to maintain a coronavirus-free record has constrained the definition of legitimate and loyal citizens. Such constraint is gendered, classed, and raced. For example, I show that women lack the autonomy of their bodies – their sexuality is constantly scrutinized in the name of coronavirus prevention, which is also seen as a testimonial of their loyalty to the nation. The study offers important implications for who truly belongs as members of society and how one’s citizenship is tied to their contribution to the collective nationhood.