Letter to the Editor: Australians react badly to threat of coronavirus

Yes, we have an epidemic and maybe a pandemic with the coronavirus, but the reaction of many people is ridiculous and often racist.

There are reports that paranoid people in the community have already started panic-buying of foods and virtually anything they think they might need. This is just silly and annoying.

Some of the parents with children in the cities childrens hospital have actually refused to let doctors or nurses that appear ‘Asian’ to treat their children. The doctors and nurses are well aware of the virus and how to maintain a healthy regime. This is silly, racist and potentially life-threatening.

The local Asian restaurants are virtually empty, and some have closed, maybe permanently, as many of their regular customers fear the ‘Asian’ virus. They may not realise that most ‘non-Asian’ restaurants have a wide range of employees and any health risk eating there is the same as usual. Again, this is silly, economically damaging and racist.

It’s time to listen to the people who know what they are doing, the medical experts not the politicians or the paranoid.

Dennis FitzgeraldBox HillVic MelbourneAustralia