Doug Baker, Chairman and CEO, Ecolab

This is a very challenging time, but I am truly impressed and encouraged by the resourcefulness and commitment the Chinese people and nation have demonstrated in response to the novel coronavirus outbreak.

At Ecolab, our global team has been working to help ensure the safety of our 3,400 associates in China. In addition, our team has been sharing our expertise in hygiene and infection prevention with the community and supporting our customers in some of the most hard-hit industries, including hospitality, food and beverage, food service and retail.

If there is a silver lining in this unfortunate event, it is the significant increase in public health awareness and improvements in hygiene protocols that have occurred throughout the country.

China is an important market for Ecolab, and we have been providing food safety and public health solutions and expertise here for 45 years. Despite the current challenges we are facing, I know we will overcome them together.