LA County Authorities Ask to Report Discrimination and Hate Crimes That Emerge During the Pandemic
Hitting, as well as licking, texting, and conversations with aggressive content towards the other person are considered attacks. / PHOTO: FILE.
Photo:
EPA / JUSTIN LANE / EFE
Over the days, the patience and understanding of many people in the face of the coronavirus pandemic begins to disappear.
However, it was from the beginning of COVID-19 that some people started looking for culprits for the outbreak, while others questioned the reason and origin of this event.
In response, Los Angeles County announced that it has received continuous reports of prejudice, discrimination and hate acts directed at the Asian and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community since this disease became known.
And as authorities work to help county residents deal with the spread of the virus, they also try to contain the spread of fear, hostility, discrimination and hate crimes in the community.
Robin Toma, executive director of the Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission – which is part of the Department of Workforce Development and Community Services (WDACS) – said that in 2019, 11 such cases were reported against Asians and so far this year, more than half of that figure has already been reported.
"And we are still seeing the numbers because we continue to obtain information on some of these cases, but we know that we are well above the rate of past years," Toma explained.
He added that it was in early 2020 that hate cases against the Asian community emerged.
Beatings and accusations
Among them, Toma said, was the case of an Asian student from a school in the San Fernando Valley who was beaten and accused of being infected with COVID-19.
Shortly after, another also Asian student who coughed in the classroom was sent to the infirmary by his teacher for fear that he was infected.
And among the most recent cases is that of the Chinese actor Tzi Ma, who when he was about to enter a Whole Foods store in Pasadena in mid-March, received the shouts of a driver who still with the moving car told him that he should get quarantined.
"So these actions make it look as if people are carrying coronaviruses in some way, just because they are Asian, which in no way is supported by any study that we know of here in Los Angeles County," Toma said.
How to report
The official indicated that people who feel attacked or discriminated against during this time of the coronavirus, regardless of their ethnic origin or race, can call 211 to report any act of hostility and hatred.
"The good thing is that this is a known phone number for people, since it is called there to ask about public benefits, where to get food or shelter, among others," he explained.
"Now at this same number, you can simply call and press number 4 (for complaints)."
Toma also explained that there are representatives in Spanish and that information on immigration status is not requested to make any type of report.
By speaking to this number, you can collect data, such as where the hate attack occurred, who was the victim, and what kind of resources you can get.
It is also recommended that people educate themselves by obtaining data on COVID-19 from reliable sources such as the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
Neither should assumptions be made that a person has or was exposed to COVID-19 solely because of ethnicity, race, and / or national origin.
And people are also asked to speak when they hear false rumors or negative stereotypes that promote prejudice and possible racism.
