Combating Bias & Building Community in the Age of COVID-19

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has created an environment of uncertainty and anxiety. As the virus has spread, there have been numerous reports of spikes in anti-Asian sentiment around the world. Harassment has been especially targeted at individuals of Asian descent from countries like China, Korea, Vietnam, the Philippines and others. 

We know that, in times like these, fear can lead to social stigma (the disapproval of, or discrimination against, a person based on perceivable social characteristics and commonly related to a person’s culture, gender, race, etc.) and even xenophobia (dislike of or prejudice of people from other countries’ cultures). But it’s critical that we not allow this behavior to become a new normal. It’s our collective responsibility to raise our voices and acknowledge how these misinformed and senseless acts of aggression, harassment and hatred are both deeply disturbing and inexcusable.

Viruses can make anyone sick, regardless of their age, gender, ability, sexual orientation, race or ethnicity. People of Asian descent are no more likely to catch or spread COVID-19 than any other person. While there isn’t an upside to a global health emergency such as the one we are experiencing now, it does serve as a powerful reminder that we are all interconnected. 

We must educate ourselves, and not give oxygen to fear and division. We can fight stigma by learning the facts about how COVID-19 is spread, and serve as upstanders rather than bystanders, countering misinformation and supporting those who are being targeted. We can influence people towards ways to help those who are impacted or at risk and, above all else, act with empathy, care and compassion towards one another. 

So as we continue to rely on our government and health officials to provide the guidance needed to stop the spread of COVID-19, may we also take those extra steps to be more interconnected across communities and cultures; showing solidarity and combating the spread of bias against Asian communities and any other groups who become targeted. 

To learn more about how you can prevent and report racial discrimination, hate crimes and bias-based incidents, visit the U.S. Department of Justice. 

If you are feeling isolated and need someone to speak to, please call the Crisis Text Line - Text NAMI to 741741 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255). You are not alone.