Worried about racism due to coronavirus

[Desiringonlychild]

I am a Singaporean living in the UK with a british husband and am pretty settled (mortgage, job etc). Honestly, coronavirus scares me, not just the virus but mainly because of the racist attacks against people of east asian appearance and the economic fallout (which would probably make the public blame Chinese people even more). I am lucky in the sense that both hubby and I work from home, we are able to pay our mortgage and we have a full pantry. No baby yet but after this covid 19 experience, I am definitely not having more than 1 child because i feel scared about being able to protect 1 child, let alone 2. There have been reports of an entire Asian american family being stabbed in a restaurant in the USA because the perp thought that they had coronavirus and the youngest child was only 2 :( Also, as this is the first big recession I encountered in my working life (I was in secondary school during the 2008 recession); I am reminded even more strongly about how important it is to have a savings fund; so many people have lost their jobs(and that number would only increase) and given the shortages in the supermarket for basic goods, I am not entirely sure how people on a shoestring budget cope. The only reason I have a well stocked fridge is because I am more liberal with my food spending, which isn't an option if you have a bigger family or are on a tight budget. Basically, I feel like the carpet has been pulled under my feet, and I have so many worries. Not just covid, but also for my safety (I feel scared when I go out because there are some men who look at me in quite an aggressive way, so I don't go out even for exercise) and future financial security (thankfully I live in a very nice London suburb). Anyone else having the same fears?

Sorry the last sentence didn't make much sense. I live in a nice London suburb so that should make me feel safer... but somehow I still don't? because people can be attacked in nice areas too. At least I am doing my part by staying in.

I think loads of us have corona related anxiety at the moment, without having a fear of racism thrown in too. I don’t have answers but just wanted to say that we have an only child and it has definite advantages! And I hope you find a way to feel a bit less anxious xx

Hi OP, I'm also living in a nice London suburb. I used to live in Singapore, so I understand how you feel, nobody would be picked on because of their race in public over there.

However, it rarely happens here. Please try not to worry it too much. Most people who are out and about are either getting on with exercise or focusing on their grocery shop. If you do have to go out, keep your whits about you, just in case.

Well we're not like America. Once this is over I really don't think people will care. In the meantime I do understand there can be idiots but the vast vast majority of people are not. We don't really have the same China issue that Trump does.

Economies recover so take a long term view and you will be fine.

I don't think UK is this much racist as US is. There are still some, but normal people know they bring disgrace to the nation, but USA is much worse.

Hi op,

We are told the virus started in the wet markets of China and whilst I might believe that this is something the Chinese government perhaps needs to get a grip on (the hygiene/cruelty aspects of these markets) it doesn’t for a second make me feel anything negative towards Chinese people. I believe I’m not alone in how I feel about this.

Secondly, I’m not daft enough to think that every Asian person comes from China. Like yourself, there are many Asian countries with a diverse population. My uncle is from Singapore by the way, beautiful country.

If it’s any consolation, I’ve taken my daily exercise locally and when I walk past people I find it so awkward I just look down and speed by. No offence intended, just conscious of how uncomfortable this all is.

I know that there are some disgusting people about, but they always were and will always be disgusting and they don’t need the excuse of coronavirus to be this way. Most people on the other hand can not turn into racists, because of a virus. It will be fine.

@DBML I think most people (Chinese or not) disagree with the wet markets. There are plenty of wet markets in Taiwan and Hong kong but they are regulated and clean. But with China, you have such a large population in abject poverty that they supplement their income by farming wild life. The Chinese government actually encouraged this because it helped peasants supplement their income. You don't have such a problem in wealthier places like Taiwan and Hong Kong. It's a hard problem to solve.

Lol at the comments that we're not like America. This is obviously a country with a racism problem. We are very much 'like america' and other predominantly white countries in that respect. I'm sorry you're concerned though OP, there are still a lot of rational people here who absolutely won't be stupid enough to connect you with coronavirus. The more it spreads, I think the less likely people are to link it to any one place anyway.

Unfortunately, there was definitely increased racism during the financial crash abd for years after around foreigners takibg away jobs ftom british people. I have heard of racist incidents towards asian looking people due to CV. I think it's absolute shite.

The massacre in the USA is horrific, but sadly they have massacres of one kind or another almost daily

The UK, despite its faults, is nowhere remotely near that level of insane violence

Many people atm are probably thinking they'll delay a baby until well after the crisis, so they can better judge job security, income etc

So generally being cautious about that is natural and sensible

Being mixed race myself, I agree the UK has a racism problem, which has increased the last few years and may worsen after this crisis

However, it's nowhere near as bad as the US and no worse than many other countries
Sadly, racism seems one of the perpetual evils lurking in society everywhere - I have yet to live in a country with none

I don't have an answer to that, other than to build up the security of job, income, savings, pension
I grew up in poverty, but the more my career developed and the better off I became,
the less racism was able to affect my life.

Sorry that wasn't a question to the OP. Should have been a full stop.

I did give a Chinese looking man about 5 dirty looks outside sainsbury's but I know I am the one with the problem.

Batty thats awful

@battysauce why???

It’s shit OP. I’m half chinese and people are visibly repulsed by me and my children here atm. I haven’t even to China since I was 5.

Batty wtf?

Batty, what total dick move.

My friend is Chinese, we live in a little village in Yorkshire. She's never even been to China but both parents are Chinese. Her children were starting to get grief at school before the schools closed and that's even from friends they'd been in reception with. It's absolutely crazy, she's no more responsible for Covid 19 than I am for mumps or the plague!

how can people be so stupid? It really beggars belief

No Batty you've made it that poor man's problem by giving him dirty looks! What is wrong with you?

Sorry you feel this way OP. I cant even pretend it doesn't happen as I have heard so many negative comments towards Chinese these past weeks. I dont know what else to say except not everyone is like that.

Aaand it's nighttime and the racists are out and about again

@Battysace123 Too right you’re the one with the problem! Did you even know that he was Chinese? Or just East Asian and that was enough for you? Do you have any idea how unsettling and awful it makes you feel when people are judging you for something you have no control over? You did a really really shitty thing.

Op I’m so sorry that you’re dealing with this. Dh is East Asian and he does worry about people’s reaction to him. However, so far people have been lovely and normal but it doesn’t stop me worrying. I wish I had something useful to say, but you’re not alone

DailyKegel If you can, would you feel comfortable challenging those statements? I do whenever I hear them. People say shit like that because they think they can get away with it. When they realize people will challenge them it tends to shame them into shutting up. I know it’s not much in the grand scheme of things but it would really help people like the op and my dh