Coronavirus outbreak: A time to empathise, not ostracise
The writer says Singaporeans must be vigilant and not allow their conversations and actions to be an incubator for xenophobic vitriol.
The outbreak of the novel coronavirus has led to a flurry of xenophobic and racist comments.
It is deeply disturbing that there continue to be allegations and misconceptions about Wuhan residents in Singapore (“‘Don’t say I’m from Wuhan’: Community in S’pore keeps low profile as coronavirus wrecks hometown”; Feb 2).
No one in Wuhan wanted to fall victim to this virus. A few months ago, no one could have foreseen that Wuhan would be the epicentre of an emerging health emergency.
It could have happened to any society. Today, it is Wuhan. Tomorrow, it could well be Singapore.
There are no borders to a virus. We must remember that people can do to us what we do to them.
At a time like this, it is important for Singaporeans to stand together and work with our government agencies to contain this virus and ensure that we safeguard the health of our loved ones.
For now, there is no local transmission in Singapore, but we must not let our guard down.
This is a time for more empathy. We should never allow fear and nativist tendencies to dictate our personal and our nation’s policy responses.
As news of the virus begins to dominate our sensibilities, we must be vigilant and not allow our conversations and actions to be an incubator for xenophobic vitriol.
Some of us have family, friends and business partners in Wuhan and other parts of China. They are not what nativist and racist stereotypes have portrayed them to be.
Singapore is a valuable member of the global community. Our expertise and advice are valued because we are often a source of reason, especially in a health emergency like this.
It is thus important that we refrain from generalising an entire population based on certain dietary habits and behavioural traits, or the city they are from.
We must deal with the problem, contain the virus, and not ostracise the very people and their families back home who are most affected.
As we step up the fight against the virus, we must also stem the spread of xenophobia and racism in our society, lest we emerge from this crisis poorer in spirit and more divided as a nation.
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