HomeLetter from President Liao: To Academia Sinica Community regarding COVID-19
Dear Colleagues,
During the past few weeks, the COVID-19 pandemic has been spreading rapidly around the world. To cope with this crisis, many countries have taken urgent measures that have made varying impacts on the work schedules and daily lives of their citizens. Thanks to the joint efforts of the government and the people, Taiwan has suffered relatively little impact up to now. At this juncture, I am writing to express my warmest regards to you and your family, to report our research in this area, and explain various measures that will soon be implemented.
As Taiwan’s premier research institution, Academia Sinica rapidly assembled a task force during the Lunar New Year period to initiate research work in rapid viral detection, antibody screening, drug synthesis, and vaccine development. In addition, we established working groups among different research organizations and academics in order to share information, materials, and methodologies for use in COVID-19 research.
However, the next wave of the pandemic will arrive at any moment, so we should do our utmost to prepare for the worst, should it occur. Whereas science calls for multiple lines of repeatable evidence, fighting the pandemic involves making difficult decisions in uncertain conditions and with limited information. I have met with our administrative team to devise various measures in response to possible situations, while also accounting for the special needs in our diverse community. Therefore, in addition to following the guidelines issued by Taiwan’s Central Epidemic Command Center, please pay particular attention to all Academia Sinica announcements (see our website: Epidemic prevention) which will come out at various times starting today, and will be revised according to the changing situation. These measures may affect your work and daily life, but will help you stay uninfected as COVID-19 spreads. Let us all work together to safeguard our environment here at Academia Sinica.
In closing, I would like to encourage all colleagues to be rational and supportive of each other during these trying times, and work together to endure this challenge. I am fully confident that if everyone follows our guidelines, and is mindful and respectful of their own and others’ health conditions, we will be able to overcome all difficulties posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and emerge even stronger in the end.
With my best wishes,
James C. Liao
President
