Police Investigate 'Vile' Graffiti Attack on Chinese Takeout as a Hate Crime
Police in the U.K. said they are investigating a graffiti attack on a Chinese takeout restaurant amid the coronavirus outbreak as a hate crime.
"F*** China" and "we don't want you here, f*** off" was sprayed outside the Tin Sing restaurant in Dudley, U.K. this week, the Birmingham Mail reported.
A West Midlands Police spokesperson confirmed to Newsweek that they are investigating the incident as a hate crime. The spokesperson said officers would be contacting the owner of the restaurant and will make sure they are "appropriately safeguarded."
"We are investigating a hate crime after racist graffiti was sprayed on the walls of a Chinese takeaway restaurant on the High Street in Quarry Bank, Dudley," the police spokesperson said.
"CCTV enquiries are ongoing to determine when the graffiti appeared and the owner will be spoken to and appropriately safeguarded. We will not tolerate this kind of crime and will do all we can to find those responsible."
Dudley Council sent officials to paint over the graffiti on Wednesday morning. Councillor Laura Taylor, who is responsible for community safety, said the graffiti was "vile and offensive" and racism would not be tolerated.
"We will not tolerate racism in our borough. As soon as we were made aware of this vile and offensive graffiti we arranged for it to be immediately painted over," she said in a statement to Newsweek. "More than ever it is important that our communities are united during this incredibly challenging time for us as a nation. It is only through working together that we can help to tackle the spread of coronavirus."
The incident comes amid a reported rise in attacks and discrimination against Asian people during the coronavirus outbreak, which was first detected in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December.
Earlier this month, a doctor claimed he was shouted at and told to leave a gas station in Indiana in what he believes was a racially motivated incident linked to the pandemic.
In another incident late last month, an Asian man was targeted while waiting at a subway station in Brooklyn, New York City. The suspect allegedly spat on the victim and yelled: "You f*****g Chinese, spreading the coronavirus. You people got the virus."
A number of officials have condemned President Donald Trump and other political figures for referring to coronavirus as the "Chinese virus" or "Wuhan virus" saying it creates a stigma around Asian communities and fuels such attacks.
This infographic, provided by Statista, shows the spread of COVID-19 around the world as of April 15.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advice on Using Face Coverings to Slow Spread of COVID-19
- CDC recommends wearing a cloth face covering in public where social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
- A simple cloth face covering can help slow the spread of the virus by those infected and by those who do not exhibit symptoms.
- Cloth face coverings can be fashioned from household items. Guides are offered by the CDC. (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html)
- Cloth face coverings should be washed regularly. A washing machine will suffice.
- Practice safe removal of face coverings by not touching eyes, nose, and mouth, and wash hands immediately after removing the covering.
World Health Organization advice for avoiding spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
Hygiene advice
- Clean hands frequently with soap and water, or alcohol-based hand rub.
- Wash hands after coughing or sneezing; when caring for the sick; before, during and after food preparation; before eating; after using the toilet; when hands are visibly dirty; and after handling animals or waste.
- Maintain at least 1 meter (3 feet) distance from anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid touching your hands, nose and mouth. Do not spit in public.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or bent elbow when coughing or sneezing. Discard the tissue immediately and clean your hands.
Medical advice
- Avoid close contact with others if you have any symptoms.
- Stay at home if you feel unwell, even with mild symptoms such as headache and runny nose, to avoid potential spread of the disease to medical facilities and other people.
- If you develop serious symptoms (fever, cough, difficulty breathing) seek medical care early and contact local health authorities in advance.
- Note any recent contact with others and travel details to provide to authorities who can trace and prevent spread of the disease.
- Stay up to date on COVID-19 developments issued by health authorities and follow their guidance.
Mask and glove usage
- Healthy individuals only need to wear a mask if taking care of a sick person.
- Wear a mask if you are coughing or sneezing.
- Masks are effective when used in combination with frequent hand cleaning.
- Do not touch the mask while wearing it. Clean hands if you touch the mask.
- Learn how to properly put on, remove and dispose of masks. Clean hands after disposing of the mask.
- Do not reuse single-use masks.
- Regularly washing bare hands is more effective against catching COVID-19 than wearing rubber gloves.
- The COVID-19 virus can still be picked up on rubber gloves and transmitted by touching your face.
