Xenophobia in the Age of COVID-19

Verbal and physical attacks on Asian-Americans are on the rise as the new coronavirus, which scientists believe originated in China, spreads across the globe. Scapegoating immigrant groups in times of disease outbreak has a long history. In a 1900 outbreak of bubonic plague, San Francisco officials quarantined only one area – Chinatown – blaming the immigrant population there for starting the outbreak.

The World Health Organization warns that stigma and discrimination can occur when people associate a disease with a population or nationality. In naming diseases, WHO avoids using names of animals, places, or people.

This video was created with support from a Brown Institute for Media Innovation grant recognizing a need for accurate information about the COVID-19 virus.