Since the COVID-19 pandemic emerged in December, the world has stopped on its axis. Every continent except for Antarctica has been impacted. Infections have reached over a million worldwide, with nearly every country recording fatalities.

Because of the severity of the coronavirus, a contagion transmitted through sneezing, coughing, and talking, scores of governments have ordered citizens to remain home. Jobs have been lost, economies have been severely affected, and many are taking every precaution possible to not be infected with the illness.

With worldwide hysteria taking place, panic has ensued. Through panic, racism has reared its ugly head. Because the virus originated from China, Chinese American and other Asian American communities have been experiencing racist, verbal, and physical attacks. Stop AAPI Hate, an online incident report from the Asian Pacific Policy & Planning Council, states that there have been over 650 reports of discrimination against Asian Americans.

Below is an interview with three Asian American women: Annalise, 35, accountant; Vivian, 29, entrepreneur; and Queenie, 32, healthcare worker. They share their experiences on how race has shaped the way we view the COVID-19 pandemic, why the rhetoric around the virus has led negative feelings towards Asian Americans, and how they are protecting themselves at this time.

Q. What did you think when people initially referred to the virus as the Chinese or Wuhan virus?

Annalise: As someone from the Chinese diaspora, it made me feel uncomfortable. Every Asian person is deemed Chinese by the public. If anyone is Korean or Japanese, they are going to face harassment for something that has nothing to do with them.

Vivian: I think that it is being regurgitated from the news. I can see why they would think that it would be appropriate.

Queenie: Of course, it is uncomfortable. I feel like, even though the virus is from China, as a human being, we shouldn’t see the virus as the whole nation. It’s disrespectful because it says that we created this whole mess. It is humiliating. You don’t call a virus “the American or white virus,” do you? It is disappointing that the president of the United States (has been calling it) this.

Q. So everyone is painting Asians with a broad brush, thinking that they are Chinese?

Annalise: I believe so.

Q. When people have been saying this comes from Chinese cuisine, how does that make you feel?

Annalise: Ignorance. It’s as if people know more about being Chinese than I do. Chinese food in many respects is a delicacy. When I hear stuff like that, I just want to jump at their throats, but what will that do? What I feel now with the shelter in place order, the moment we return to work, what will it be like for Asian Americans?

Whether it be commuting or working with their peers, what will the experience be like with President Trump propagating fear and connotations to things? Why would you promote fear in your country towards a particular race?

Vivian: Being an American woman, when I hear people making references to that, culturally, I cannot relate. When I first heard those statements, it was a bit unbelievable to me.

Queenie: Honestly, as a Chinese person, I don’t deny that in China we may eat what could be called “exotic animals.” I grew up in Hong Kong, but I was not exposed to those kind of foods. We only ate pork and chicken. There is so much social media information and propaganda out there about this. Everyone is claiming to be an expert and making statements, but we don’t know the truth.

Q. When you started to hear about people being attacked, how did that make you feel?

Annalise: It makes me sad, not just for the greater good of humanity, but that I am not seeing my people stand up for themselves. Often, Asians are associated with being reserved. Our confidence isn’t openly displayed.

Unfortunately, our community and parents didn’t teach us how (to stand up for ourselves). For me personally, I learned how to stand up for myself being around other communities of color such as black and Latino.

Vivian: Two things come to mind — for one, it is absolutely horrible and an act of hate. Secondly, having been to Asia last year and comparing it to the Western world, I am not surprised people are having this racist demeanor. I don’t see Asian culture is given comparative praise to European culture. I feel the respect and acknowledgement for Asian culture is not here in America. Often in television shows, you will see the Asian kid being made fun of. In school I heard many Asian jokes, so it is not a big shock to me.

Queenie: Fortunately, I don’t have any family or friends that have been attacked. Everyone has been staying in with the shelter in place; just going out to get groceries or going to an Asian market. Be that is it may, I saw on the news other Asian people being victims of hate crimes, which is quite devastating.

I have heard of people being yelled at, saying, “Get away from me” and “Go back to China” when they are at the supermarket or in public. It is very sad to see humanity like this because we are not supposed to be singling out people.

Q. Are you afraid?

Annalise: I was talking to a friend, telling her how upset I was hearing Trump call it “the Chinese virus” and the backlash he got from the Asian American community. After I got off the phone, I just broke down in tears. So many different emotions came to mind.

I first thought about “fight or flight” and how you can only run so much because trouble will find you and you will have to do something about it. Thinking about it made me remember being in school, getting jumped, and being forced to fight. I then became fearful for my nephew, for what he will have to go through. Finally, I thought about what my black and Latino friends face. They deal with discrimination every day. We are the model minority; we never had to deal with this.

Vivian: Being a tough girl, I don’t fear for my safety. I am ready to fight (laughs). I have seen other Asian people out, so I don’t think we are fearful. Nonetheless, I don’t hold it past people to think that this person may have it because they are Asian. It wouldn’t surprise me if they hold those thoughts.

Q: This time kind of reminds me of the sentiment against Muslims and people of Middle Eastern descent in the aftermath of 9/11. It was very visible…

Vivian: I don’t think it has gone to that level yet, but in San Francisco there is a common theme of political correctness. People are really good at hiding their true feelings because they are aware of what is socially acceptable. I wouldn’t doubt if they were thinking, “Oh this person is Asian, I am going to stay six feet away” because they may have the coronavirus versus if someone is white or African American.

In reality, anyone from any ethnic background could have it. I mean why aren’t people boycotting Italian restaurants or olive oil given the infection rates in Italy? It is so contradictory because so many of our belongings are made in China.

Queenie: I don’t have any fear because I live in California and we are in a bubble. But, I do notice people looking at us, trying to see if we are Chinese. I don’t feel uncomfortable, though, I just remain calm. If I am being honest, I don’t plan on doing any road trips in the next three to five months to states that have a lot of Caucasian people, because I might get discriminated against.

Q. What do you advise Chinese people and other Asian communities to do if confronted?

Annalise: They should step up and help if they see people (being) confronted. Speak up. Unfortunately, in my community there hasn’t been a sense of unity due to the People’s Republic of China. It is just “Me, myself, and I.” I have seen people turn their backs when they have seen others get in trouble, and it is sad.

Queenie: Everyone should stay safe and take care of their families. Remain flexible with their lives and don’t dwell (on) negative thoughts about this. Stay positive and take deep breaths. Practice gratitude and think about what is going to be next. When this pandemic is over, this will be our time to shine.