5 years on, Chinese Canadians recall racism over their early pandemic precautions

In early 2020, Lili Wu was already taking extensive precautions whenever she went out in public near her home in Port Coquitlam, B.C. She would wear a face mask, carry sanitizer, don protective eyewear, and gloves. This was more than a month before the World Health Organization officially declared a global pandemic, introducing most Canadians to concepts like masking and social distancing.

For Wu and many other members of Canada’s Chinese-speaking communities, the outbreak originating in Wuhan, China, hit much closer to home around the start of the Lunar New Year. Wu shared that she even watched news reports with her children to help them understand the severity of the situation. She was among the first in Canada to start wearing masks and taking other protective measures.

East Asian Canadians, particularly those in the Chinese community, were quick to adopt masking as a preventive measure once news of the pandemic spread. Dr. Susan Poutanen, a medical microbiologist and infectious disease physician, noted that the use of masks became crucial in preventing the spread of the virus, even among asymptomatic individuals.

Despite the early adoption of precautions by Chinese Canadians, they faced ridicule, confusion, and hostility from others. Kim Hsieh, a music producer, recalled an incident where another shopper criticized her for having her infant son wear a mask. This kind of reaction was not uncommon, as many Chinese Canadians were met with skepticism and animosity.

The Chinese community in Metro Vancouver saw a decline in business as many members chose to stay home during the Lunar New Year celebrations in 2020. Some festivities were canceled or scaled down due to fears surrounding COVID-19. Unfortunately, this led to misinformation and stigmatization of Chinese establishments, further exacerbating tensions.

Hate crimes targeting East Asian people surged in 2020, with Vancouver police reporting a more than 700% increase in incidents. This spike in racism and discrimination did not come as a surprise to experts like University of British Columbia history professor Henry Yu, who noted a long-standing bias against Chinese individuals.

Despite facing hostility and discrimination, Chinese Canadians stood by their early precautions and measures. Richmond, a city with a significant Chinese population, had one of the lowest infection rates in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. This was attributed to the community’s vigilance and adherence to safety protocols.

Looking back, Chinese Canadians like Wu and Zhang believe that their proactive approach to the pandemic was the right thing to do. They point to their experiences during the SARS outbreak as a driving force behind their actions and emphasize the importance of protecting themselves and others.

In conclusion, the Chinese community in Canada faced challenges and backlash during the early days of the pandemic but remained steadfast in their commitment to safety. Their efforts ultimately benefited everyone, highlighting the importance of unity and solidarity in times of crisis.