The fear and uncertainty that accompanies widespread illness can lead to many reactions. UM community members may have friends and family overseas who are affected and may be anxious or sad about the situation. They may also be overwhelmed by the amount of media coverage, both through news channels and social media.
As a university community known for caring about each other, this is a time when we all need to be understanding and compassionate to people who may be affected by the news. Also, we should be aware of and avoid broad generalizations and assumptions about China and people from Asian countries. Classifying Asian people as dangerous or sick, or making assumptions about a person’s nationality based on their physical appearance reinforces long-standing histories of xenophobia and racism, whether intentional or not. Please treat all members of our community with respect and empathy as our university and the entire world deals with this evolving situation.