As COVID-19 continues its devastating and lingering spread around the world, we are already experiencing the harsh impact of an economic shutdown that is saving lives but killing jobs. Both blows have contributed to a climate of fear that is sadly stressing the limits of civility.
In a climate of fear, truth is often a casualty. Anxiety regarding the lack of information about virus transmission, effective treatment, and mortality risk has led to an alarming spread of misinformation, efforts to blame others, and even aggression.
We at the Anti-Defamation League are used to seeing this kind of behavior in extremists who latch onto untruths and conspiracy theories to counter their fears of living amidst a more diverse population. Xenophobia and scapegoating of marginalized communities is sadly a consistent historical response to widespread illness, and we are indeed seeing a rise beyond the usual quarters in the targeting and harassment of Asian and Jewish communities — particularly online.