An emerging RHU-CSC was established on March 2, 2020 to provide RHU community with the latest information and advice concerning the current outbreak of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) in Lebanon and all over the world. The committee consists of the following members: Dr. Mahmoud Halablab (College of Art & Sciences), Dr. Maher Sabbah (College of Engineering), Dr. Jamil Chaya (College of Business Administration), Mr. Ahmad Sabeh Ayoun (Director of Campus Facilities), Ms. Sahar Hallak (Student Affairs Manager), Mr. Malek Wehbi (President of First Aid Club), and Ms. Iman Bardan (RHU Infirmary).

Owing to the fact that the Coronavirus (Covid-19) is an invisible danger and is highly contagious and in the absence of a treatment or a vaccine, protective measures remain the only means for avoiding or reducing the incidence of the disease. Most people who become infected experience mild illness and recover, but it can be more severe for others. Take care of your health and protect others by doing the following:

1. Wash regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
2. Maintain social distancing by keeping at least 1 meter distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing. These can release aerosols that can be inhaled and enter the respiratory system and then may cause disease.
3. Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth. Once contaminated from surfaces, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.
4. 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. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.
5. Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek proper medical care and follow carefully their instructions.
6. Wearing masks by healthy individuals provides very little protection and makes you touch your face regularly and hence increasing the risk of acquiring infection. Persons suffering from respiratory infections, on the other hand, may wear masks. This may reduce the spread of the virus to others.

7. Avoid misinformation disseminated through social media for “self-treatment” including high doses of Vitamin C, herbal preparations and the like. These do not kill Covid-19 in your body. Always seek professional medical advice.

For further information, please contact your advisor or Mahmoud Halablab on the following e:mail: halablabma@rhu.edu.lb