Bulletin No. 1, 2020

The Corona Chronicle 29 Also vulnerable to the disease are low-income groups owing to the long-standing problem of a lack of equal access to healthcare services around the world. There being far more private outpatient clinics than public ones in Hong Kong, the poor are at a higher risk than the affluent. Also, it is often the underprivileged who work on the frontline with inadequate protective gear and little understanding of how the disease spreads. With the possibility of another wave of infections and, indeed, another widespread disease in the future, these people live under constant threat. In a similar vein, the University established the CU RElief Fund (CURE Fund) in April to provide support and assistance to members who are adversely affected by the pandemic. The senior management team led by example in donating 15% of their salaries for the remaining months of the year to the Fund. In only a couple of months’ time, the Fund has been able to create over 300 employment and internship opportunities for CUHK graduates. Prof. T. F. Fok , Pro-Vice-Chancellor and chairman of the management committee of the Fund, was much heartened by such enthusiastic response. He said, ‘The responses are amazing. Nowhere is the CUHK spirit more graciously expressed than in such benevolence that cuts across generations, affiliations and ranks of our community. As the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is yet to be fully felt, we need to keep up this momentum to help mitigate the hardships endured by the less fortunate among us. CUHK members watch out for one another. My sincerest thanks to those who are doing the watching out this round.’ But the pandemic is also taking a toll on creatures other than humans. In late February, the first case of animal contagion was reported in Hong Kong, where a dog had tested weakly positive for the virus. Shortly after, more dogs and cats in the city and in Belgium were reported to have been infected. Later in April, a Malayan tiger at the Bronx Zoo in New York City fell victim to the disease, and towards the end of the month, two cats from the US also tested positive. All this was undoubtedly worrying news to pet owners around the world. As part of its continuous effort to keep the public informed, the Faculty of Medicine updated the section on the pandemic on their Facebook page to include information and tips regarding pets. Prof. David Hui reminded pet owners to maintain good personal and environmental hygiene. If they are unwell, they should avoid direct contact with their pets. In case the pets are unwell, owners should seek veterinary advice immediately. Prof. T. F. Fok Pro-Vice-Chancellor and chairman of the management committee of the CU RElief Fund 300+ Number of job opportunities provided for graduates by the CU RElief Fund