With the outbreak of the coronavirus, and many people worldwide getting infected, people are becoming more fearful every day. When President Donald Trump recently called the coronavirus the “Chinese Virus,” it created a stigma towards anyone who is depicted to be of Chinese descent or any type of Asian heritage. 

Scott Crow, communications & public information officer at American River College, sent out an email giving an update about the coronavirus and the hardship that people of Asian descent are facing right now. 

According to the email, Asian people of all backgrounds have been facing problems of racism and harassment from others due to the growing issue of the coronavirus. 

“A recent development that is of particular concern to Los Rios is the increasing number of news reports regarding stereotyping, harassment, and bullying directed at persons perceived to be of Chinese American or, more generally, Asian descent, including students,” Crow wrote in an email to the Current. 

ARC students of Asian descent have faced these troubles as well, according to an email sent by Joshua Moon Johnson, dean of equity programs and pathways at ARC. In the email, Johnson wrote that he believed misinformation is the cause for discrimination.

“During times of crises, biased and misinformed ideas and feelings surface in ways that negatively impact our students and damage our community,” Johnson wrote. 

According to the same email, ARC does not condone such behavior. ARC wishes to provide students, no matter their background, a safe space to come to and get the education they need, according to Crow. 

“Ethnic harassment or bullying exacerbates hatred, harms students, and is never justified. We reaffirm our commitment that all students should be able to study and learn in an environment that is healthy, safe, and free from bias or discrimination,” Crow wrote.

This story may be updated as more information becomes available.