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.
More Like This
The Weight of Stigma: Heavier Patients Confront a Bias
A look at how a bias on body size affects care of heavier patients.

What's in a Number? Some Research Shows That a Lower B.M.I. Isn't Always Better.
Biased ideas about a link between body size and health have led many people to dismiss unexpected scientific findings.

Bringing Midwifery Back to Black Mothers
For care in pregnancy and childbirth, Black parents are turning to a traditional practice.

Working Sick During Covid: What We Learned from Swine Flu
‘Stay home if you’re sick’ is time-tested advice. But not all workers can afford it.