The global pandemic COVID-19 has impacted many aspects in our daily lives all around the world. There are already more than two million confirmed cases and hundreds of thousands deaths globally, and these numbers perhaps will increase further as the spread of the virus worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) has called upon every country and every partner to cooperate together and combat this disease, without distinction of race, religion, and political belief, economic or social condition. As the president of an international association, I am deeply concerned about every member of our WASWAC family in all countries. I wish every one of you and your families safe and healthy. At this time, I hope every WASWAC member can stay together to tide over the crisis in the difficult time, and to follow the protection instructions and suggestions of the WHO:

(1) Wash your hands frequently. Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.

(2) Maintain social distancing. Maintain at least 1 meter (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.

(3) Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth before cleaning your hands. Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth which makes you sick.

(4) Practice respiratory hygiene. Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.

(5) If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early. Follow the directions of your local health authority.

(6) Stay informed and follow advice given by your healthcare provider.

Please take care and protect yourself, your families, your communities, and be supportive for the people working in frontlines of this pandemic. We should believe in science, and do not need to have extra anxious. We should stay together in the global health emergency. We should be strong-minded and have confidence to overcome the virus, a brighter future is await us in the near future. 

Again, I wish every member safe and healthy!

Prof. NING Duihu

The president of WASWAC