COVID-19 Response Team Created To Address NYC's Surging Discrimination, Harassment Reports

The New York City Commission on Human Rights has announced the creation of the COVID-19 Response Team to address discrimination and harassment reports relative to the ongoing pandemic.

NYC Commission on Human Rights Commissioner Carmelyn P. Malalis said in a news release Sunday (April 19) that the formation of the COVID-19 Response Team is the city's answer to protect its citizens, especially now that the virus has dealt a heavy blow on New York.

The “dedicated” team will best serve New Yorkers during these uncertain times, Malalis added.

The COVID-19 Response Team will lead in suppressing New York's barrage of hate crimes, particularly in anti-Asian discrimination as most residents continue to be dismayed by the various protocols and negative impact caused by the virus. It will be composed of lawyers, law enforcement and members of community relations department, said CNN.

Since February, the agency was able to collate 248 reports of harassment and discrimination related to COVID-19. 40% of those reports are anti-Asian.

The release continued to compare this year's reports to that of 2019 where the Commission only had five reports of anti-Asian discrimination.

Since its creation, the COVID-19 Response Team has taken action in 148 of those cases by conducting, among others, early or emergency intervention and commencing an investigation. The Team is also actively investigating 18 cases regarding discrimination in housing, public accommodations and employment based on race.

9 COVID-19-related issues have been resolved by the team.

Through CNN, Malalis said that the city is facing “extraordinary levels of stress” because of the pandemic and strongly discouraged discrimination and harassment to be part and parcel of the city's problems.

“Even in the midst of a pandemic, human rights cannot be violated, and we encourage anyone who has experienced COVID-19-related discrimination to report it to us,” she said, adding that having victims to report these crimes pose as one of the agency's “biggest challenges.”

The network also relayed Malalis' take on President Donald Trump calling COVID-19 as the “Chinese virus,” saying that it spurred “incredibly divisive rhetoric and sentiments in different areas” rather than giving home and a promise of safety to its constituents.

This aspect of COVID-19 as a virus purposely released by China took its toll online, especially in hate groups-administered forums. This in turn saw the surge in Sinophobic, or anti-Chinese sentiments, and one conspiracy theory that the virus is a bioweapon created by the Chinese government and transmitted by Chinese people.