Asians have faced increased racism

The argument

While most of us are dealing with concerns over how to keep ourselves and our families healthy, Asian people also have to deal with increased levels of racism and harassment — a second burden arriving at the same time as the first and falling on one group in particular. The increase is not a matter of impression. Incidents of racism and harassment against Asian people spiked following the outbreak of coronavirus, and one organization in the United States recorded 1,100 incidents of verbal and physical harassment in just two weeks. A figure of that size compressed into that period, and counted by a single organization, indicates something happening at a scale beyond isolated encounters, since any such count captures only those incidents that were reported to it. The reason this matters for the question of whom to help is that it identifies a burden the rest of the population is not carrying. Although many people are threatened by the virus, Asian communities are under a unique pressure: they must face the health and social costs of the pandemic like everyone else, and in addition a growing specter of racism that has nothing to do with the illness itself. Their wellbeing, their businesses and their security are all under increased threat, driven by conspiracies that perpetuate paranoia about Asian communities in relation to the virus. That last point is what makes the case a matter of justice rather than only of sympathy. The claims fuelling the harassment are false, so the harm they cause is entirely undeserved — an injustice visited on these communities and individuals specifically, and one that will not be relieved by the measures aimed at the pandemic itself.

Premises

Counter-arguments

The coronavirus pandemic does not discriminate. While it can affect certain communities to a greater degree, it is still a significant threat to everyone. Considering this, we cannot give anyone special treatment in how we fight the disease. Each community needs to do its part to slow the spread and protect themselves from sickness. Beyond physical health, the pandemic has affected everyone economically, emotionally, and socially. No single demographic has been able to escape the pressures of the disease and lockdown. While Asian communities may feel increased prejudice, it is likely just a few isolated racist incidents and not an endemic. Unfortunately, we cannot give them special treatment under the circumstances, as everyone faces increased challenges during the global crisis.

Rejecting the premises

[Rejecting P1] The virus is a risk to multiple populations, which means we should aim to help everyone. [Rejecting P2] Everyone has been harmed socially and economically by the pandemic. The virus does not discriminate by race.