The Coronavirus outbreak poses a grave health risk to millions of people across the globe. Authorities have imposed unprecedented restrictions to ordinary life to reduce the rate of infections. This disease threatens not only its victims and their loved ones, as well as the ability of health systems to treat the sick, but it also runs the risk of damaging the core values that underpin society.

The Hong Kong Holocaust and Tolerance Centre (“HKHTC”) is concerned about – and strongly condemns – the large number of incidents in different countries of Coronavirus-related discrimination, stereotyping and physical violence. People have been attacked in the streets, school-children bullied and online, racist vitriol is rampant.

In these intensely testing times, it is imperative to remember that a disease knows no boundaries and does not distinguish among people. It affects ALL HUMANS regardless of their racial, ethnic, religious, linguistic, national, social or cultural backgrounds.

This disease will not be overcome by blame, prejudice and hatred, which will exacerbate the challenges we all face. It can only be fought effectively in an effort BY ALL to temporarily minimise social contact, by strictly adhering to good hygiene and enabling the world’s leading scientists to develop proven cures and vaccines, as well as by showing solidarity with those who need our help. It is at times like this that we should continue showing kindness, empathy and compassion to all those around us.

Through its educational programming, HKHTC is dedicated to promoting tolerance and compassion among all peoples as an essential key to a healthier and better world for everyone.