As virus-era attacks on Asians rise, past victims look back
Asian Americans have been facing a dangerous climate since the coronavirus entered the U.S. a year ago. A rash of crimes victimizing elderly Asian Americans in the last two months has renewed outcry for more attention from politicians and the media. A recent wave of attacks on elderly Asian Americans โ including the death of an 84-year-old San Francisco man โ has fueled worries that hostilities have only worsened. AdA rash of crimes victimizing elderly Asian Americans in the past two months has renewed outcry for more attention from politicians and the media. AdโOur work to address anti-Asian racism is inextricably tied to fighting anti-Black racism,โ Choi said.
Tribes try to shield elders and their knowledge from virus
That means losing elders to the virus could wipe out irreplaceable pieces of culture. Concern for elders is also apparent in the tribe's COVID-19 vaccine-distribution plans. Roy Boney Jr., who manages a Cherokee language program, said the vast majority of Cherokee speakers are elders. Pequot elders play an important role in the effort to revive the tribe's language, which is no longer widely spoken. Karen Ketcher was among 28 Cherokee Nation elders who have died from the coronavirus.
Walmart latest retailer to require customers to wear masks
Last week, Starbucks announced that customers who visit its company-owned cafรฉ locations in the U.S. will be required to wear face coverings. Costco Wholesale Club was one of the first major retailers to require face coverings for customers at all of its stores. โI think Walmart's decision will give cover to other retailers to require masks," said Michael J. Hicks, an economist at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. Social media is full of videos capturing clashes between those who are asked to wear masks, and employees who are under orders to make sure people wear them. About half of U.S. states require masks in public places, according to the RILA.