The real problem with SARS

When there’s a catastrophic threat to public safety and well-being, some fitting response is needed. That’s the lesson Canada is drawing from SARS. The “catastrophic threat,” of course, is the danger that some Canadians will treat some persons of Chinese origin somewhat differently as a result of the disease: race relations experts warn against anti-Chinese backlash. It’s truly a worrying situation. It’s gotten easier to get into restaurants in Chinatown, because health worries are keeping some people away, and the neighbors of one Chinese-Canadian woman even felt entitled to ask her how she was doing. Who knows what will happen next? Something must be done!
Posted by Jim Kalb at April 17, 2003 02:56 PM | Send