GRSJ224/COVID19 Resurfacing Racism

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is the coronavirus that originated in Wuhan, China in late December of 2019. Similar to the SARS virus, COVID-19 stems from animals and also negatively impacts humans and is now a global pandemic . This specific coronavirus affects the respiratory system and can lead to death for individuals who are older or suffer from other immunodeficiencies. Transmission occurs when coming into close contact with someone who is ill, and by touching infected spaces that come into contact with eyes, mouth and nose. COVID-19 spreads at an incredible rate and in order to manage it, authority officials encourage everyone to wash their hands frequently and stay home as much as possible. At this time there is no treatment for the virus, however we are in the process of researching a vaccine. Individuals are reported to be most contagious when they are the most sick in their cycle. Additionally the virus is shown to be contagious even when overt symptoms are not present .

Resurfacing Racism

With the new coronavirus circulating, racism towards people from the Chinese and Asian region have resurfaced. This is due to misinformation about the novel virus. Racism and Xenophobia are just two forms of attack on anyone who looks East Asian. The Asian community is under attack and there is an increase of fear and panic around people who resemble those physical features regardless of where they reside. In Canada alone, Chinese- Canadain owned businesses report a drop in sales since the virus outbreak. There are a number of campaigns that intend to fight against the racism produced from this epidemic. #coronaracism is just one example.

How have racist attacks been triggered?

Chinese individuals experience dislike and prejudice against people from other countries. President Trump has also been encouraging this xenophobia by publicly referring to COVID-19 as “The Chinese Flu”. This is just one way that the coronavirus has rewakend decades of old prejudices The outbreak of this virus is not an excuse to be racist. The use of derogatory terms and outward racist acts to people of Asian descent is reminisicnt of the United States in the late 1800’s after The Chines Exclusion Act of 1882 was passed . Sadly this is not the first time bias bias has been reproduced by a disease.

In Canada

An interview in Toronto, Canada mentioned that blaming Chinese Canadians for COVID-19 is absurd and dehumanizing behaviour not only adults and students but also to children . Chinese Canadian communities face black lash from the virus in many ways. For example, bullying at school, racial slurs in their day to day life, decrease of job offers and more. This is detrimental to their mental health and makes it difficult to enjoy daily life.

Social Media

The overbearing presence of social media in our daily life makes it an especially easy outlet to voice racist opinions. Social media is now the place where racist comments around the COVID-29 outbreak can be made without consequence. Justin Trudeau says "there is no no place in our country for discrimination driven by fear or misinformation" .

Stigmatization

Public harassment is experienced on the bus or subway stations and even when simply walking down the street. Parents at a Toronto-area school board even developed a peition that was signed by almost 10,000 people to track any students who recently traveled to China and order them to "keep isolated by staying at home" .

Social Impacts

Many people are concerned about the pandemics' long lasting effects. A poll conducted in The Star (3) found that COVID-19 has changed the behaviour of almost all Canadians during a five day period. 80% more people are washing their hands, 73% are avoiding handshakes and 62% are using hand sanitizer and disinfectants more often than before . This poses the question, how will COVID-19 change our way of living? Will we expect hand sanitizer and things of that nature to be more easily accessible in public places? These are important considerations that instead of being seen as a precaution will now be the norm. Additionally, “Social Distancing ” whereby public health officials intend to slow down the fast spreading nature of the virus, is to limit large group gatherings and other close contact events. Other quarantine measures are to not travel domestic or international, and to quarantine yourself for 14 days if you have traveled.  Health officials have explained that self quarantining is most effective for mild cases where immediate attention is not yet required. Although it is recommended that you do not leave your house, it is okay to to go outside for exercise or fresh air without being in close contact with anyone else. Leisurely activities such as going out for dinner or visiting friends or family is not recommended by the CDC .

Economic Impacts

The impacts that COVD-19 will have on the economy are detrimental and are going to be experienced worldwide. The damage is dependent on how fast the virus is contained and how much economic support governments are choosing to provide (6). Low employment rates and a recession are expected. Economic activity as a whole will be very low and the Centre for Strategic International Studies has predicted that COVID-19 will lower global GDP growth by one-half percentage point. The film market, sporting industry and hotel industry will experience significant disruption because they are reliant on high social interaction.

Environmental Impacts

During the COVID-19 lockdown there have been significant positive environmental impacts. While in lockdown, pollution from vehicles, planes, etc have diminished and improved air quality. Smog which normally covered the City of Wuhan has diminished and blue skies have begun to emerge which prove to be prosperous spaces from animals and plants . Toxins that from heavy factory production that are detrimental to humans have dropped below its ‘normal’ levels.