Do you have the Virus?

I don’t. However many people do, especially senior citizens. Frankly, the virus is horrible. Many people are suffering in hospitals, some dying. Doctors are struggling to save patients, going without sleep and rest. Hundreds of students kicked out of college/boarding schools who don’t have anywhere to go. In fact, a family friend of mine is currently staying with us because the rest of her family is in China and she doesn’t have anyone to stay with but us. As for the people without the virus, we are in a softer version of isolation. School is cancelled, there are almost no cars on the road and everyone is holed up at home. Yesterday I went on a walk around the neighbourhood and it freaked me out. There was no one, I swear I didn’t even see a squirrel. It was like I was the only one left on earth.

One extremely important “seed” or problem brought to light in the midst of this virus outbreak is the underlying racism against Asians. All of a sudden, there has been an increase of violence agains Asians. Attacks against Asians are now a common headline in the media, showcasing (usually) an elderly man or woman of Asian descent being attacked by gangs or even just people on the street. Chinese grocery stores and restaurants are avoided like the plague, and people stay away from anyone even remotely resembling an Asian. Even though Italy has the second highest amount of Coronavirus cases, no one is boycotting Italian food or people of Italian descent. Fun fact: The coronavirus isn’t passed through genes, and it doesn’t justify racism against Asians. If anyone thought otherwise, racism is still very much alive.