The rapid global spread of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) has captured the attention of the media and the public. This virus has spread quickly from country to country and there are even reported deaths. If social media is any indication, many people are scared and worried about the impact the virus will have on them.
Since the Coronavirus originated in East Asia, much of the fear that surrounds the virus has been directed at East Asian peoples (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, etc.). East Asians living in America have been wrongly suspected to have the infection or are being blamed for its fast spread since some may travel to and from their home country. While fear of an unknown and potentially dangerous virus is understandable, we cannot allow that fear to cause us to lose sight of our Christian call to love our neighbors.
Unfortunately, reports are that Asian people have been verbally and sometimes physically attacked as they are assumed to be connected with the virus. If they are not outwardly attacked, Asian people may be shunned or isolated from the larger public and portrayed as people to be avoided at all costs. Asian American lawmakers are even calling on congress to help combat some of this rhetoric. Not only are Asian people scared of the virus, but they also experience hatred and condemnation from others.
The Christian response to the Coronavirus and to our Asian neighbors should not be one of irrational fear or ostracizing our Asian brothers and sisters. Rather, a Christian response should see our Asian neighbors as valued human beings who feel scared and isolated as they face fallout for a situation that is totally out of their control.
Here are five ways to minister and interact with your Asian neighbors in a way that communicates Christ’s love during this Coronavirus.
1. Avoid the blame game
It is easy to place blame on East Asian people since the virus was reported to have originated from East Asia. Although the virus may have spread quickly from East Asia due to readily available public transportation (buses, trains, planes, etc.), placing the blame on an entire group of people—especially those who don’t currently live in that region—is illogical and perpetuates racial discrimination.
Instead, you should understand that the coronavirus transfers quickly on its own and has already reached other countries due to the availability of long-distance travel. Asian people are not to blame for catching a virus any more than we can blame victims of this year’s flu. Moreover, they are certainly not to blame for the government’s inability to control mass travel across the world. Blaming a specific group for an illness is immature and unchristian.
2. Avoid rash judgments
In this age of social media and quick-breaking news, information travels extraordinarily fast from person to person. Unfortunately, this information can be unfiltered and unvetted, resulting in false or incomplete information disseminating across social platforms. Once this false/incomplete information goes out, many will post it as if it is truth without waiting for any further fact-from trained professionals.
Rather than automatically believing the newest breaking story on the virus, you can pause for a moment and wait to see if the report is genuine and researched. Read up on the facts, like in this Q&A from an infectious disease specialist. You can also research comparisons of the virus to other historical global infections such as Ebola, Swine Flu, etc. These extra steps of research will help you to better understand the severity of the situation and avoid making the problem worse for yourself, Asian Americans, and everyone else around you.
3. Overcome selfish fear
The Coronavirus certainly gives reasons to develop a healthy sense of fear for the infection. The virus travels quickly, is difficult to detect, and has claimed a number of lives in the past few weeks. A healthy sense of fear for the infection helps us be vigilant in our hygienic practices and prevent unnecessary further spreading of the virus.
However, much of the fear surrounding the Coronavirus can be unhealthy and become ungodly if it causes us to shun or mistreat others. Take a moment to reflect on God’s Word and what it says in Philippians 4:6, “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” or Jesus’s words in Matthew 6:25, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on.”
Rather than allow fear to dictate our response to the virus and our Asian neighbors, we should overcome our fears with God’s assurances. Instead, the church should be a picture of Christ’s love to those who are increasingly becoming treated as “unclean.”
4. Engage and minister to your East Asian neighbors
Your East Asian neighbors are not facing this virus as unemotional bystanders. They are fellow human beings who are also scared of the potentially dangerous virus. They worry for their own health, their families, and their livelihoods which are being disrupted by the spread of the virus. Instead of shunning them, Christians should be the first to engage Asians with love and community. We should take the initiative to visit our East Asian neighbors and learn of ways to pray for, serve, and minister to them.
Many East Asians in America are first-generation (meaning they moved from their respective country to America), and they may not have acclimated to American culture yet. Treating East Asian people poorly will only serve to further isolate them and make them feel unwelcome. Christians have the unique opportunity to imitate Christ’s love to the nations because the nations have come here. Instead of falling into patterns of fear and alienation of others, we should move towards those who are hurting—even if we were not the ones who hurt them.
5. Go further
Beyond initial engagements with your local East Asian neighbors, there are several additional ways to show neighbor love:
Ask for ways to get involved in the local East Asian community. East Asians tend to form local communities to participate in their culture and support each other. See how your church can serve and minister to the community.
Visit a local East Asian restaurant. As the fear continues to grow, East Asian restaurants will suffer from people who are afraid to be associated with their community. As a result, the owners of those restaurants will suffer financial loss. Support your local East Asian restaurants and shops, and speak with owners about their thoughts on the virus. Pray for God to open doors for gospel conversations.
If you have East Asian friends, ask them about their family abroad. Many East Asians in America still have a majority of their extended family living in their home country. Their home country may be where the virus is hitting the worst. If so, they are likely worried about the health and safety of their family. Ask how you can pray for their family members or for the situation in their homes.
Talk to your kids about bullying. Adults are not the only ones who hear of this virus’ spread and lash out armed with misinformation. Kids also pick up on the unchristian-like character and can be ruthless toward their East Asian classmates or friends. Teach your children not only good hygiene but also how to be a good friend and neighbor. Set the example for them to follow.
Open your home to your East Asian neighbors. While you certainly should not open your home to someone known to have the virus, an invitation to your home can be a welcome and friendly gesture for East Asians feeling isolated and shunned by society. This gesture can provide an inviting and warm space for East Asians who may feel culturally lost.
The Coronavirus does not appear to be leaving any time soon. Although we are largely unable to affect the global trajectory of the virus, we are able to affect how we respond to the situation and to our neighbors. Instead of resorting to knee-jerk reactions, let us respond in love to our East Asian neighbors and treat them with the kindness and care they need during this difficult season.
Eddy Wu is a Ph.D. student at Southeastern Baptist Theology Seminary and works as the IT Operations Manager. His interest include Apologetics, Technology, A.I., and Asian culture. He enjoys teaching and mentoring the youth at his church. He is married to Erica, and they have two beautiful and crazy children, Millie and Oliver.
