Coronavirus and Infectious Racism

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GRADE LEVEL: Middle School, High School

In December of 2019, cases of pneumonia from an unknown cause were treated by Chinese authorities in Wuhan, China. Those cases, which are now known to have been caused by the coronavirus, or COVID-19, were the first documented cases of a pandemic. The coronavirus has spread to at least 147 countries since then. The first case in the United States was found in Washington State, on January 21st, 2020. Since then, cases have surged.

With the increase in coronavirus cases has come an increase in reported hate crimes and racist acts against Chinese Americans, or those perceived to be Chinese American.

Students use the resources and activities in this lesson to expand their understanding of how the Coronavirus pandemic is increasing racism against people who are of Chinese or Asian descent, and what you can do about it.

You can also use this Sutori version of the lesson.