The racism and prejudice brought out by the fear of the coronavirus has to stop.

The call comes from members of Toronto’s Chinese community, the chair and vice-chair of the Board of Health, the city’s Medical Officer of Health and Mayor John Tory.

”We can’t let fear or ignorance triumph over our values of community, understanding, respect and rejection of discrimination or stigmatization,” declared Tory.

Dr. Joseph Wong, founder of the Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care, agrees there’s no place for such attitudes.

”It is hurting our children in schools.  It is hurting the Chinese Canadian community.  It is stigmatizing the Chinese Canadian community.  SARS emotional problem should not happen again.”

Tonny Louie, chair of Chinatown Business Improvement Area told Zoomer Radio’s ”Fight Back” with Libby Znaimer … people within and outside the Chinese community are staying away from Chinatown much like they did 17 years ago during SARS.

”During SARS period I think we had a loss of 50% of business, particularly in restaurants, and right now I think we’re looking at about 20% decline in business.  So it’s quite similar,” Louie told the show.