For anyone who clicked on this article thinking that it was going to be a simple report on the coronavirus outbreak in China, I am here to tell you that this is not what this article is about. This article is about the epidemic of racism and xenophobia that has broken out in the United States. Say it with me: the coronavirus is not an excuse to be racist!
This virus did not originate from Chinese people eating the food that they’ve always been eating. This virus originated as any virus or medical outbreak does: through infection and unhygienic behaviors. I want to remind everyone that Swine Flu was an epidemic originating from pigs that broke out in the United States not that long ago, and I didn’t see anyone being scared to eat bacon. The coronavirus has killed many, and it’s interesting that people are avoiding Asian people as if they are the only ones capable of carrying this virus. There are people dying and working hard to eradicate an epidemic; now is not exactly the time to use the coronavirus as an excuse to be racist.
Here are the stone-cold facts. The coronavirus is a new respiratory virus that originated from Wuhan, China. It’s spreading fast, as it has evolved from the original common coronavirus that has circulated amongst humans from before this epidemic broke out. Very rarely does the coronavirus from an animal infect a human, but that doesn’t mean that it’s impossible. The coronavirus is speculated by health committees to have originated from an animal and was then spread to a human. There is currently a quarantine to attempt to control the outspread of the virus as well as help those who have been infected. Currently, there are a few cases in America since this case started to transpire in December of 2019. It’s likely that those who were traveling in China or were in contact with those who could have been exposed may have carried the virus and spread it before the quarantine was in effect. This virus is not a joke and is very scary, as there are currently no ways to clear it from an immune system.
So, what do you need to know to know about the coronavirus to protect yourself? The virus spreads through coughing and sneezing, close personal contact, and touching an unclean surface before touching your face. Basically, it spreads like any other virus or bacteria. The symptoms are similar to those of pneumonia. Symptoms include, but are not limited to, fever, coughing, sneezing, difficulty breathing and fatigue. To protect yourself, wear a mask if you are sick or will be around people with compromised immune systems. Avoid touching surfaces and touching your body without washing your hands. Use basic hygiene, such as coughing into your elbow and washing your hands.
Notice how none of the tips I mentioned were to be racist. Being racist and xenophobic during such as time will not protect you from the coronavirus, but will instead help to spread an epidemic of racism and xenophobia in the United States. Symptoms of this behavior include, but are not limited to, pulling up your shirt to cover your mouth when you pass by an Asian person, insulting Asian food that has been eaten for centuries without consequences, informing Asian people that they need to cover their mouths, and in general being an awful human being who may not even be able to account for their own personal hygiene. If these symptoms apply to you, I advise you to remember that there are people in the United States walking around who have never gotten a flu vaccine. You are more likely to get Influenza, the common flu, then the coronavirus.
During this very difficult time, there are people separated from their families, people dying, people working overtime to produce masks, and people who are in need of healthcare. Do not make this epidemic any worse than it already is. Please apply some human empathy and use good basic hygiene habits. Stay healthy and unproblematic out there!