美東南區中華學人協會大家庭,
自從今年新年開始以來，世界已經發生了巨大的變化。COVID-19大流行已經演變成一場世紀的悲劇，不僅破壞了全球經濟，而且在4月底之前在全球造成了20萬多人喪生。儘管人們正在努力利用技術來彌合這一關鍵時期的差距，為一線醫務人員生產更多的個人防護裝備，並在生產快速檢測試劑盒，抗病毒藥物和疫苗方面與時俱進。應對這種大流行的主要工具是“社會疏遠”, 它已“拉平了曲線”，但也給經濟活動造成了沉重的代價。因為這次 COVID-19 的大流行以及對我們每個珍貴成員的健康構成的風險不可避免地影響到計劃於今年7月底舉行的年度會議的籌備工作。
在與我們的指導委員會和CAPASUS志願者工作人員進行了數小時的討論之後。我們已決定將今年的年度會議推遲到2021年。在會議議程和所附報告中概述了合理性和討論。由於2020年年度會議的取消，憲法和章程委員會正在製定一項修正案，將所有CAPASUS工作人員的任期延長一年，並將會員資格的受益期也延長一年。該CAPASUS憲法修正案將在7月底的時間範圍內接受會員在線投票和在線研討會的會員註冊。我們將在六月提供有關此在線活動的更多信息。
隨著一些州開始“重新開放” 部分的 “非必要性” 商業活動的進展，新的感染案件的進程和死亡人數已顯示出下降的跡象。我們仍將保持警惕，防止疾病傳播，以保護社區中的朋友和家人。儘管我們考慮了這種流行病對我們的生活和人類未來的意義的影響，但重要的是要記住，美國的學術和專業團體過去一直站在這些全球挑戰的最前沿。我們終將利用我們在科學和技術方面的集體智慧和知識來找到解決方案，以克服這可怕的疾病。
祝大家珍惜這段寶貴的時間，留在家中並保持安全！
朱子宇
Dear CAPASUS members,
The world has changed since the beginning of the new year. The once in a century COVID-19 pandemic had evolved into a tragedy that not only damage the global economy but also caused more than 200 thousand life losses globally before the end of April. While there are efforts to utilize technology to bridge the gap during this critical time to produce more PPE for front line medical workers and to race against the clock on producing rapid testing kits, anti-viral drugs and vaccines. The primary tool for combating this pandemic is “social distancing” which has “flatten the curve” at significant cost to the economic activities. This pandemic counter measure and the risk posed to the health of each of our precious members inevitably impact the preparation of our Annual meeting scheduled for end of July this year.
After several hours of discussion with our steering committee and the CAPASUS volunteer staff members. We have decided to postpone the annual conference this year until 2021. The rational and the discussions were outlined in the meeting agenda and report enclosed. As the consequence of this 2020 annual meeting cancellation, the constitution and by-law committee is working on an amendment to extend the terms of all CAPASUS staff for one year and extending the benefit of the membership also by one year. This CAPASUS constitution amendment will be subject to membership online voting and member registration for an online seminar during the end of July time frame. We will provide additional information about this online event in June.
As some of the states start the slow progress of “reopening” the “non-essential” businesses, the pace of the new cases and the death toll has shown sign of subsiding. We will still want to keep vigilance on preventing the spread of the disease to protect the friends and families in our community. While we contemplate the impact of this pandemic to the meaning to our lives and the future of humanity, it is important to keep in mind that the academic and professional community in the United States has been on the forefront of these global challenges in the past. We will always find solutions using our collective wisdom and knowledge in science and technology to overcome these awful diseases.
Wish you all cherish this precious time staying home and staying safe!
Fred Chu
