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There is debate among scientists4, and I leave it to my colleagues
to discuss this, including Steven J. Hoffman and Patrick Fafard in
Chapter F-4 of this volume. This chapter addresses the way in which
government responses can inform and shape the fear that people will
have regarding a novel disease, and how this may fuel racist and
harmful behaviour.
Anti-Asian Racism in Canada During the Pandemic
Racism, xenophobia and violence against Asian Canadians, includ-
ing Chinese, Korean, Filipino, and Vietnamese people, among others,
has intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic. While racism against
Asians in Canada is not new,5 anxiety associated with COVID-19 has
increased the virulence of anti-Asian sentiment. Fear has manifested
in the decline of visitors to Chinatowns and Asian restaurants,6 the
vandalization of Asian businesses,7 the perpetuation of myths that
Chinese people eat bats,8 the use of the term âChinese virus,â9 and the
4. Marta Paterlini, ââClosing Borders Is Ridiculousâ: The Epidemiologist Behind
Swedenâs Controversial Coronavirus Strategyâ (21 April 2020), online: Nature
<www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-01098-x>.
5. For example Joanna Chiu, âHouse-Hunting as an Asian Immigrant in Vancouver
Means Navigating Racismâ, The Star (3 November 2019), online: <www.thestar.
com/vancouver/2019/11/03/corrupt-immigrants-serve-as-real-estate-scapegoats-
in-vancouvers-tight-market.html>; Kimberley Molina, âVandals Target Chinese-
Language Street Signsâ, CBC News (17 September 2019), online: <www.cbc.ca/
news/canada/ottawa/street-sign-vandalized-ottawa-chinatown-1.5287001>;
Melody Ma, âIâve Lived the Racism Seen in that Viral Vancouver Parking Lot
Video â Many Asians Haveâ, Welland Tribune (29 August 2019), online: <www.
wellandtribune.ca/opinion-story/9572052-i-ve-lived-the-racism-seen-in-that-
viral-vancouver-parking-lot-video-many-asians-have/>.
6. Colette Derworiz, ââSupport Them or Lose Themâ: Chinatowns Across Canada
Grapple with Coronavirus Fearsâ, Global News (27 February 2020), online:
<globalnews.ca/news/6602754/coronavirus-chinatown-canada-business/>;
Megan Shaw, âWatson and Public Health Team Visit Chinatown to Allay COVID-
19 Fearsâ, CTV News (6 March 2020), online: <ottawa.ctvnews.ca/watson-and-
public-health-team-visit-chinatown-to-allay-covid-19-fears-1.4842445?cache=ye
s%3FclipId%3D89619%3FautoPlay%3Dtrue%3FautoPlay%3Dtrue>.
7. Diona Macalinga, âRise in Asian Hate Crimes as COVID-19 Pandemic Growsâ,
The Link (7 April 2020), online: <thelinknewspaper.ca/article/rise-in-asian-hate-
crimes-as-covid-19-pandemic-grows_>.
8. Eleanor Cummins, âThe New Coronavirus is not an Excuse to be Racistâ,
The Verge (4 February 2020), online: <www.theverge.com/2020/2/4/21121358/
coronavirus-racism-social-media-east-asian-chinese-xenophobia>.
9. Eren Orbey, âTrumpâs âChinese Virusâ and Whatâs at Stake in the Coronavirusâs
Nameâ, The New Yorker (25 March 2020), online: <www.newyorker.com/culture/
cultural-comment/whats-at-stake-in-a-viruss-name>.
VULNERABLE
The Law, Policy and Ethics of COVID-19
- Title
- VULNERABLE
- Subtitle
- The Law, Policy and Ethics of COVID-19
- Authors
- Vanessa MacDonnell
- Jane Philpott
- Sophie Thériault
- Sridhar Venkatapuram
- Publisher
- Ottawa Press
- Date
- 2020
- Language
- English
- License
- CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
- ISBN
- 9780776636429
- Size
- 15.2 x 22.8 cm
- Pages
- 648
- Categories
- Coronavirus
- International