May 25 2020

Due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infectious disease (COVID-19), the start day of class in the new academic year was postponed by two weeks, and non-face-to-face classes have been conducted in the first semester. It has been a month since the first semester began on April 20 under the state of emergency declared by the government on April 16, and classes continued to be held during Golden Week. I assume you are starting to get tired or feel uneasy by now.

Meanwhile, the state of emergency was lifted in 39 prefectures except for 8 others including Tokyo on May 14, and it seems likely that the state of emergency will be also lifted in the remaining prefectures. However, as you probably all know through various news and media, this doesn’t mean that the spread of COVID-19 infection has ended, if anything, we are now going through a subtle phase. In fact, the number of global COVID-19 cases has increased by 100,000 everyday and there is no way to curb the spread of COVID-19 infection.

Various institutions and researchers inside and outside of Japan have presented their own views on the future trend of COVID-19 infection. Common understanding is that we can not put an end to the infection unless effective medicines and vaccines are developed and put into practice. The crisis of COVID-19 is to last at least one year, and very likely two years as it's considered that it will take at least over 12 months before medicines and vaccines are put into practical use.  Even if we can bring COVID-19 under control in the meantime, I think that small waves of infection will continue repeatedly, or I would say that a second and a third wave of infection, which might be even bigger, will occur if we take wrong countermeasures. At present, the situation apparently seems to be stable, but you could grasp the situation in Niigata where the infection may spread rapidly if we relax the countermeasures.

I would like to ask all students to adopt the "New Lifestyle" suggested by the Expert Meeting on the Coronavirus Disease Control in Japan.

When you work part time, make sure to avoid "Three Cs". You are prohibited to work at izakaya and nightclubs. We encourage you to select a part-time job with adequate infection control measures when it comes to customer service and face-to-face industries.

During the first semester, non-face-to-face classes are to continue. I would like you to strengthen the bonds in a new way, such as using SNS and e-mails even if you might be frustrated at the situation where you cannot see your classmates. We will seek an opportunity to resume part of laboratory courses and extracurricular activities to the extent possible after June while observing infection status. Please check our website and notice from your Faculty for the latest information.

I am very much concerned whether you might be suffering from financial difficulties since there is a great possibility of prolonged spread of the infection. You may face financial difficulties as you can no longer work part time. You may also face the problem that it is difficult to get your tuition paid or receive monthly allowance due to the sudden reduced income of your guardians. Some of you might have already faced these problems. Then, we have newly prepared our original student support, "Niigata University COVID-19 Emergency Student Support Package" to alleviate the impact of COVID-19, including financial support. This provides study support as well as financial support for every student from the short-term to mid-long term.  Other various problems related to COVID-19 infection may arise to you. Please feel free to come to "COVID-19 Emergency Student Support Desk" to consult about your problems if you have any.

If you feel stressed out or uneasy, please talk to someone you trust or your friends anytime. Never think that you are alone. And on the other hand, I would like you to grow your intellectual curiosity and have a fulfilling life even in this situation.

Useful Information on the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) by Prime Minister's Office of Japan

USHIKI Tatsuo, MD, PhD
President