It’s no surprise that Asian Americans and Asian people around the world are experiencing Coronavirus-related racism and xenophobia.  Chinese restaurant sales have plummeted, Chinatown districts have been near-deserted, and bullying is constantly inflicted on those perceived as Chinese. 

Jonathan Mok, a 23-year-old from Singapore was allegedly attacked while walking down a street in Central London in February. A group of men told him, “We don’t want your coronavirus in our country” as they kicked and punched him.  He may need an operation on a broken bone close to his right eye due to the attack.

In Australia, parents in Melbourne have refused to let Asian doctors treat their children. Hostility on the subway is especially prominent. Passengers have reported receiving hostile comments because of a mere cough or sneeze such as, “Get out of here. Go back to China”, or, “Cover your f***ing mouth”.  These types of comments exemplify feelings of discomfort and unwelcomeness wittingly or unwittingly.

This xenophobia seen through racism and religion-related hate crime is not a new concept.  The aftermath of 9/11 sparked an increased number of attacks against Middle Eastern, Arab, Muslim, and Sikh people.  Other examples of discrimination brought about through disease in history include the Swine Flu being negatively associated with Mexican Americans, and HIV/AIDS being negatively associated with members of the LGBT community.  

As the Coronavirus has reached a pandemic scale in which people are traveling, it is wrong to associate the virus with any racial identity.