The Coronavirus is known to be a family of pathogens that cause respiratory illness in birds and mammals that spread into other species, including humans. It broke out in the city of Wuhan and the virus was mostly spread through coughing and sneezing, and even asymptomatic breathing. It started off by sickening thousands of people and eventually killed over three thousand people in China. It was believed that it started at a food market in Wuhan where people sold animals and wildlife in close quarters. In response, China has temporarily banned sales of wild animals and placed millions of people on lockdown, canceling all flights and trains.

The virus is definitely dangerous for people over the age 65 or anyone with existing health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or cardiovascular disease.  If anybody over the age of 65 or with existing health conditions gets sick with a fever, cough, or has shortness of breath, they should go seek hospitalization just in case. This viral disease has spread widely and quickly and this is overwhelming local health systems in a way the seasonal flu does not.

It’s not just the virus that worries me the most. I’m also very concerned about the anti-Asian racism that’s also been spreading.

There are a lot of ignorant and ill-informed people displaying attitudes towards the Asian community and I hate how people think it’s okay to joke about it by saying stuff like, “I don’t want an Asian to cough/sneeze on me.” It’s messed-up  because some people think it’s funny.

Many people are worried, uncomfortable, and scared of their own skin and no one should ever have to feel that way. Not all Asians are Chinese and not all Chinese people have, or had, the virus. In fact, a very small percentage of the Chinese population contracted the virus because of serious and stringent government intervention and restrictions that saved thousands of lives and prevented more illness and death in that country.

Being Asian doesn’t make a person more or less likely to be a carrier of the coronavirus. Spread love, not germs, and definitely not racism!