In December of 2019, a pneumonia outbreak with unknown cause emerged in Wuhan, Hubei Province. Subsequently, genetic sequencing identified the cause to be a “novel coronavirus”, which was later given the name “COVID-19” by the World Health Organization. The novel coronavirus is highly contagious, transmits mainly through respiratory droplets or close touch, and causes novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP, for short). As of today, infected cases have been reported in more than 20 countries and regions across the world. Up to date, Macao has 10 infected cases confirmed. The Central Government and the Macao S.A.R. Government have placed high emphasis on the NCP epidemic, and have duly adopted a series of effective prevention and control measures, which have been praised widely by the national and international communities.
Since the NCP outbreak the medical community, experts and scholars have acted fast, made speedy diagnosis and engaged in extensive scientific research. The relevant outcomes and research progresses have since been disseminated to the public via media outlets, institutional websites, academic journals, and other public platforms, which have mostly played an uplifting role in the prevention and control of NCP. Nevertheless, in the process of media-mediated transmission, some contents were scrutinized disproportionately or even misunderstood, leaving the general public to an explosion of information and misinformation facing the epidemic. This further led the public to unnecessary panic sentiments or even frenzy behaviors such as hoarding certain precautionary products. A lesson drawn from this is the high importance and necessity of feeding the public with accurate information for scientific prevention and control of NCP.
Over the past two decades since Macau University of Science and Technology was founded, it has been growing fast upholding the mission of “Serving the society”. Along the way, the M.U.S.T. Foundation has established the Faculty of Chinese Medicine, University Hospital, Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, and Faculty of Medicine, which constitute a complete system for cultivation of talents in Chinese and Western medicines, scientific research, and medical services. The University houses Nobel Prize laureates, academicians, chair professors, professors, and other cross-disciplinary professional talents, and has won recognitions and support from the Central Government, the Macao S.A.R. Government, and the social communities. At this special time in the wake of NCP, the University acts on the basis of Macao, has its heart with the Motherland, mobilizes and takes advantages of its experts and scholars, and deploys its resources strategically in the hope of contributing the University’s humble share to the scientific prevention and control of NCP.
Following the NCP outbreak, the University responded quickly and carried out a series of works, setting up the “Macau University of Science and Technology – University Hospital Scientific Prevention and Control of Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia Task Force” on February 9. I myself serve as the director of the task force, and other members include experts and scholars in relevant areas from the University and the University Hospital. The task force subsequently established this news platform, which will publish and release to the public important news and information related to the prevention and control measures enforced by the mainland governments and the Macao S.A.R. Government, general knowledge for scientific prevention, health-keeping methods, scholars’ interviews, alumni stories fighting against NCP, international responses, progresses related to diagnoses of diseases and drug research, etc.
Above all, I’d like to pay the highest regards and respect to the medical professionals and workers fighting NCP on the frontlines across the nation and in the Macao S.A.R.
Chair Prof. Liu Liang
President of Macau University of Science and Technology
Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering
February 12, 2020
