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Former US ambassador calls for better educating American public about novel coronavirus
Source:Xinhua Published: 2020/2/13 9:47:09
A medical team member gestures when boarding the flight to Hubei Province at Changshui International Airport in Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province, Feb. 12, 2020. (Xinhua/Jiang Wenyao)
Former US Ambassador to China Gary Locke has called for better educating the American public about the novel coronavirus, as irrational fear is inflaming racist and xenophobic sentiments against Asians.
"I am concerned about the reports of discrimination against Asians in public places, as well as derogatory comments on social media," Locke, also former governor of the US state of Washington and former US secretary of commerce, told Xinhua in an email interview.
"These negative uninformed comments only stress the need for US public health officials and government leaders to do a better job of educating the public about the virus, how it is spread, and how to protect themselves," he said, adding that the chances of getting the virus in the United States are very low with common sense precautions.
Medical staff receive a patient infected with the novel coronavirus at the temporary hospital converted from Wuhan Sports Center in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, Feb. 12, 2020. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
The novel coronavirus, just officially named by the World Health Organization as Covid-19, started in the central Chinese city of Wuhan and can cause respiratory illness and pneumonia. It has infected 44,653 people on Chinese mainland as of Tuesday.
Only 13 cases have so far been confirmed in the United States. However, false health information, including warnings to avoid Asian food and Asian-populated areas, has circulated, while a barrage of vicious discussions and racist jokes about the Chinese people or Asians in general have gathered momentum online.
"The disease can be spread by any person, not just Asians," Locke stressed.
Although the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not recommend the use of face masks to prevent the spread of the virus in the United States, some Asians prefer to do so for prevention and self-protection in public spaces, and many of them have been shocked and saddened by recent incidents of mask-wearing Asians being harassed or assaulted on the subway and on the streets.
Locke said the CDC is only offering a recommendation, not a requirement or a law. "Americans in general, and the Chinese community in particular, are free to do as they wish, without any repercussions," he said.
A Chinese American himself, Locke urged the United States and China to first collaborate on treating the infected in China.
"The two countries should also collaborate on research and analysis to fully understand the origin, transmission, effects, and most effective treatment of the virus, including developing a vaccine for the virus," he added.
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