With the recent statement of the World Health Organization (WHO) warning the world to do more to prepare for a possible pandemic, in reference to the outbreak of the coronavirus, additional efforts are made in countries of the world to contain the spread of this virus.

In Lebanon, a "Corona Unit" headed by Dr. Mahmoud Hassoun (graduate of the Lebanese University - Faculty of Medical Sciences) was created in the Rafik Hariri University Hospital, where suspected cases are admitted.

The “Corona Unit” consists of a volunteer group of doctors from the Lebanese University - Faculty of Medical Sciences, working for free round-the-clock. The tasks of this unit include the initial examination up to the follow-up in the isolation room, in addition to its advisory and awareness role in the treatment and prevention of this virus.

The Lebanese University team consists of 14 doctors, including Layal Olaywan, Habib Jaafoury, Amani Khatib, Mohamad Bjeyji, Batoul Awada, Wael Zorkot, Sara Nahal, Mohamad Chit, Walaa Chreif, Safa Yassin, Houssein Toufayli, Ghadir Hayek, Zamzam Tikriti, Farah Wehbe, and Atef Akoum.

The team members say that “the decision to volunteer was not easy, but the human, national, and moral duty forces us not to give up from our responsibilities towards our families, loved ones, our society and our country facing a threat that may be the most difficult and dangerous in its history."

It is noteworthy that the insist of the Lebanese University team to stay at the Hospital motivated some universities to reconsider their decision to withdraw their students from the Hospital.

To the "Heroes", as tweeters described them on social media, we say: “The Lebanese University, the Presidency, professors, students and employees are all proud of you. The future will only be for you and those like you”.