Why Biden Shouldn’t Require Covid-19 Testing from China
By: Baron Langston
On January 5th, 2023, the Biden Administration decided that those arriving from China have to show a negative COVID test before coming into the US. However, considering the backlash of xenophobia that’s bound to occur, this decision has a series of downsides. Biden’s decision to require testing is unnecessary and puts up a false barrier of protection from the virus itself.
The Biden Administration’s entire objective of requiring negative tests from China is to limit the surge of Covid happening within the United States. Nonetheless, this choice only gives a false sense of security to United States citizens. Regardless of whether or not the U.S. requires testing, a rise in Covid cases is bound to happen, and at the moment is still happening. Recently, there has been a surge of additional variant cases across the United States. Within the first weeks of January, deaths from Covid rose 44%, going from 2,705 deaths to 3,907 deaths. Now this surge isn’t because of people coming from different countries into the U.S., but rather because there is a sub-variant of Omicron which is easily contagious. In fact, a new variant on the rise named XBB.1.5. This new variant has accounted for a third of new infections and has been on the rise since December. The surge of Covid-19 in the U.S is coming from within the country; new forms of Covid that already existed are just evolving and mutating like viruses do. So this decision to require testing isn’t stopping this spread but rather puts up a false idea that this surge is coming from China.
Requiring testing for travelers from China can promote consequential stereotypes, including that of an environment where xenophobia can thrive. Already, the Asian community has faced harassment regarding Covid-19 when a surge of xenophobia erupted as COVID-19 became prominent. Out of fear and stigma, many avoided Chinese restaurants. Furthermore, Asian Americans faced verbal harassment such as being called filthy and diseased. Highlighted by Sociology Professor Rosalinda Chu, “with news of the coronavirus, we’ve seen an uptick in fear of people who look like this.”
The pandemic brought a surge in xenophobic attacks on the Asian community. Now that panic around the pandemic has ceased, comments surrounding Asian stereotypes can be expected to decrease. Still, Biden’s decision reestablishes a sentiment of xenophobia within the United States. Requiring negative test results from China creates conditions under which some could once again blame Covid-19 on the Asian American community.
When Trump was president, xenophobia was especially incited. In a statement, Trump chose to refer to Covid-19 as the “Chinese Virus.” As expected, in addition to creating serious tension between the U.S and China, a study now suggests that Trump’s rhetoric sparked anti-Asian twitter content and perpetuated racist attitudes, something that will continue if Biden stands firm in his policy.
Discriminatory acts have become institutionalized within the United States. Actions such as requiring tests from China do not help us move forward. In order for our country to truly stay dedicated to change, the Biden Administration must ensure the safety of all American citizens, regardless of race.
Testing site at airport in China.
