By National Post |
The coronavirus outbreak has stoked fear among many Canadians, but none more intensely than members of the Chinese Canadian community, who fear a repeating history of discrimination.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Toronto councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam urged the public to ‘not give into to xenophobia and racism’ against the Chinese Canadian community, alongside Mayor John Tory.
“Toronto is home to almost 300,000 residents of visible Chinese descent,” reads her statement, posted on Twitter. “I know that when people are afraid, it can be easy to look for blame.”
Now referred to as the 2019 Novel Coronavirus or 2019-nCoV by the World Health Organization, the mysterious virus causing fever-like symptoms and respiratory troubles has officially recorded two confirmed cases in Toronto, with 23 others under investigation.
With potential cases of the virus growing in Canada, the fear and stigma continues to emerge, pointing fingers towards Chinese Canadians. Many in the Chinese community are advising otherwise, but it has not halted the public from directing hate and racist comments towards the community.