The news of the Coronavirus has been causing panic and worry across the world. The virus started in China in a city called Wuhan and has sadly caused deaths in the city amongst the most vulnerable members of the population. People are worried about the spread of the virus and the country is taking precautions to keep everyone safe. One of the ways they are doing this is through encouraging people to wear surgical face masks.

Chinese people have been wearing face masks for decades as a way of protecting themselves from pollution and viruses. If someone is ill they also wear a mask to protect other people from catching it and spreading the illness further. This is sensible and respectful to humanity as a whole. In Sheffield there are around 10,000 Chinese nationals and many of them are students at Sheffield Hallam University and The University of Sheffield.

It was reported last week in Sheffield, by The Sheffield Star, that a Chinese student had been a target of hate crime as a result of wearing a mask. The post-graduate student from Sheffield University was walking up West Street alone in broad daylight when she was verbally abused and pushed by three people. The student was wearing a protective mask at the time following advice from Chinese media to keep her and everyone else safe. The student has decided not to prosecute but is hoping the incident can educate others.

The coronavirus is worrying but, just because it started in China, that does not mean that Asian people across the world should become targets of abuse and hate crimes. Remember a surgical face mask is protecting other people, as well as the person wearing it.