Hugh T. Brooks

Although coronavirus is yet to spread to Washington D.C., fear surrounding the epidemic surely has arrived.

In addition to being a serious public health concern, the virus has sparked the spread of misinformation and panic on social media. The worldwide impact of the virus has been felt acutely on Georgetown’s campus as the administration attempts to adequately respond.

On Tuesday, the Provost’s office sent an email addressed to “Members of the Georgetown University Community” outlining the university’s response, outlining the plan to recall students on study abroad programs and advising students to be aware of the symptoms of the disease. However, a second, more expansive email went out to students who have permanent addresses in mainland China. 

This specific targeting of students based on nationality has raised questions of the role of race in response to this outbreak, both on campus and around the world. 

“Last weekend, I was in Boston, and some people, seeing we were Chinese, shouted at us that we brought the virus to the United States,” said Hao Zheng, 22, a Chinese national studying in the United States. 

A Georgetown student who chose to remain anonymous, says she is “disappointed with the way the virus is being handled both in the United States and China.” She also noted that she is legitimately concerned that the virus will reach our campus, and thus has been taking extra time to disinfect her items. 

While some students have taken precautionary measures in fear of coronavirus, others are less concerned. “As long as people are washing their hands and covering their mouths, people should be fine,” says Georgetown student Peter Lee Hamilton, 22. “I trust our doctors to keep us safe.”

One Georgetown medical student, Hamsini Rao, 25, also said she was “not at all” concerned about coronavirus. Rao stated she was more concerned about the current flu season, which has affected her family, friends, and patients more directly.  “My perspective is a little different because I’m in hospital everyday working with other sick people.” 

Wuhan coronavirus has officially been declared a Public Health Emergency by the World Health Organization. The outbreak, which started in the Hubei province of China, has spread to every region in China, and at least 16 other countries. Six cases have been confirmed in the United States, including one possible case at nearby George Mason University.

Image Source: https://www.metro.us/news/the-big-stories/officials-confirm-five-us-cases-of-coronavirus-after-china-travel