Time is like water – Weekend wishes

Jón Atli Benediktsson, Rector of the University of Iceland, sent the following message to University staff and students today (2 October 2020):

"As a new month of this autumn semester begins, we are now coming to the end of a difficult week fighting this virus. Once more, above all I feel gratitude to you all for your admirable strength of character. I am also thankful for the way you have ensured that our work can continue at the same high standard, despite enormous challenges. 

We are all aware that the virus is not going anywhere and that the situation is serious. I cannot overstate how important it is for us all to do what we can as individuals to prevent infection, respect the physical distancing rules and wear protective masks where necessary. I would like to commend you in particular for how well you have cooperated with the rules on protective masks. 
 
Although infection rates have been rising these past weeks, we all know that this situation is temporary. We will get through this together with a united effort. We do tend to want all the solutions right away and it has never been so important for scientists to find ways to fight this virus. 

But time is like water, the drop that hollows out the stone, as the poet Einar Már Guðmundsson wrote. And so it is that scientists all over the world are working together to hollow out the stone, drop by drop, to the benefit of us all.  Perseverance is one of the weapons we have used in the struggles of recent months and I urge you all to keep persevering now. 

The weekend lies ahead and we must use it to gather our strength for future challenges. Let's not forget the things that matter most and remember to think positively. 

Have a good weekend, dear students and colleagues.

Jón Atli Benediktsson, Rector of the University of Iceland"