致關心中研院的朋友，晚安：
首先，謝謝大家的關心。相信大家相當憂心本院出現境外移入的群聚感染。不過，請各位朋友毋需過度焦慮。我們已經掌握相關接觸者，並提高防疫措施的強度。確診者所屬工作場域的同仁即日起居家辦公二周，待無虞後再回院工作。其餘同仁若有不適，也建議在家休息或工作，勿輕忽大意。
我明白隨著案例增加，大家心情難免忐忑。窺探的慾望也讓我們急於掀開確診者隱私的面紗。但是避而不談、隱入人群，也使我們容易傳散謠言、互相猜疑。二者皆有盲點。如何求取平衡，是社會在這場疫情中進步與否的關鍵課題。
疫情帶給世界的挑戰接踵而至，但是迎戰病毒，我們並非全然無知、束手無策。除了努力以科學研究找出答案外，我們也應發揮人溺己溺的精神，互相關懷、彼此鼓勵。切勿以文字語言傷害到確診案例所屬單位之同仁或其家屬。越困難的時刻越要理性、互相幫忙，珍惜人際間的良善與信任。
也許我們對不可預測的疫情發展不免恐懼，但我認為，戰勝恐懼的解方是獲取知識。我們應該主動了解病毒如何傳播、如何致病。若你有興趣，再進一步了解病毒如何演化，病毒與人類又是什麼關係。善用最近多一些的居家時間，靜心充實知識也不失為一件好事。
認識病毒、釐清疫情的同時，我們也應該展現人性的光輝及真誠，互助合作並包容可能有的人性弱點。對異議者耐心溝通、解釋，對確診者給予最大的關懷及支持。
病毒帶來全新的考驗，我們必須在有限的資訊與時間內做出困難的抉擇，這不僅激勵我們需要進一步以研究追求知識，也同時測驗我們的智慧，更提醒我們如何超越自我，把無私與人道的精神帶給社會。
這段時間大家都辛苦了，再次謝謝各界捎來的問候與關懷。新冠肺炎病毒正在挑戰人類知識的邊界，卻也給人類有機會重新省思人、社會、國家及環境的互動關係。路阻且長，繼續努力。保護自己，同理他人。
祝 平安健康
中央研究院院長 廖俊智 20200322
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To all our friends,
First of all, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for all the concern you have shown towards Academia Sinica. I understand that everyone is very concerned about the cluster infection resulting from an imported case. Nonetheless, we have been able to track down people who had contact with this individual and have implement enhanced epidemic control measures, so there is no need to be overly concerned. All colleagues sharing a workplace with the confirmed case have started working from home for two weeks until further notice. Other colleagues are also advised to stay home for work or rest should they feel any sort of discomfort.
I understand that as the number of cases arises so do the unease and fear within us all. Although we might bear an urge to unveil the privacy of the confirmed case, avoiding the subject altogether leads to speculation, rumor, and distrust. Each course of action leaves much to be desired. Therefore, it is critical to reach a balance between both options. The decisions we make will mark our progress as a mature society in battling against the virus.
The outbreak of this epidemic has brought relentless challenges to our world, yet in this struggle we are neither clueless nor without power. Apart from striving to find solutions through scientific research, we should also consider this an opportunity to show our solidarity through caring and reaching out to encourage each other. Please refrain from any verbal attacks related to the confirmed cases, colleagues from the same institute, and family members. It is during these darkest of times that we should do our utmost to maintain a sense of reason, support each other, and treasure the trust in our own humanity.
While it may be inevitable that we experience fear as this unpredictable epidemic unfolds, in my opinion the key to our victory is the accumulation of greater knowledge. We should take the initiative to learn about how the virus spreads and infects others, and if you are interested how it evolves plus its relations with human beings. It might not be a bad idea to make good use of the extra time at home in recent days to nourish oneself with such knowledge.
As we become more familiar with this virus and clarify the facts about the epidemic, we should also manifest the sincerity and brilliance of our human nature, work together in earnest collaboration and show enduring tolerance for any possible flaws. Let us patiently communicate with those who disagree, and show the greatest support for people with confirmed cases.
The virus has confronted us with a completely new set of challenges, and we must make very difficult decisions with limited information and time. This not only impels us to exceed our limits in scientific pursuits but also tests our wisdom in the face of adversity while reminding us to share our selfless spirit with society.
It has been a tough fight, and we are all in this together. Once again, I would like to thank the public for its warm regards. While testing the limits of human knowledge, the coronavirus also allows us to reflect upon the links between individuals, society, the nation, and the environment. A long and perilous journey lies ahead, so let us persist in our efforts, protecting ourselves while sympathizing with others.
With Warmest Wishes for Peace and Good Health,
James C. Liao
Academia Sinica President
