Brandau and ‘Chinese virus’: Letters to the editor, March 25, 2020

I am repulsed by our “leaders” who continue to refer to COVID-19 as the “Chinese Virus.” Once Trump started using this racist terminology, I’ve watched others follow like a bunch of cowards hiding in their mom’s basement, too afraid to stand up to the chief bully-in-charge.

Fresno County Supervisor Steve Brandau and Congressman Kevin McCarthy have both used this term, despite WHO and CDC condemning the use of such labels as inaccurate and inappropriate.

Popularizing this term leads to racial stereotyping; the trickle-down effect is a rise in hate crimes targeting anyone who looks Asian. When toadies like Brandau and McCarthy parrot Trump, they may as well be sticking targets on the backs of Asian Americans.

My family has lived in California since the early 1900s, yet I am still perceived as a “foreigner.” My great-grandfather’s business was stolen, my grandparents were incarcerated, and my mother was born in an American concentration camp — all because of their appearance.

Is it now my daughter’s fate, a fifth-generation American, to be targeted, bullied, and, possibly, attacked because of her appearance?

We need to end this country’s long history of xenophobia. Let’s start by holding our “leaders” accountable for their bigotry.

Fox News’ talking point obsolete

County Supervisor Steve Brandau needs to check in with his handlers at Fox News.

There is never any doubt as to where Mr. Brandau gets his talking points because the language he uses comes straight off of the Hannity graphics and Ingraham chyrons. Today, he complains about the overreaction of public officials in response to what he’s been told to call the “Chinese coronavirus,” the current racist phrase being bandied about by Trump and the Fox folks. (A few months ago he moaned about “social justice warriors” trying to emphasize the infrastructure needs of the more neglected parts of Fresno.)

But the problem now is that Brandau is out of step. In the past couple days the Fox Overlords have changed to keep up with Trump’s newfound recognition that the coronavirus is real; is not a Democratic hoax; and needs to be taken seriously. While Trump has been downplaying the virus the past months, Fox has of course echoed him, and that’s where Brandau is getting his info — but he needs to refresh his browser and learn the new line. Even Trump finally says “it’s bad;” Brandau better get on board.

Call it what it is: hate speech

I am appalled and disgusted by Fresno County Supervisor Steve Brandau and President Donald Trump for ramping up hatred and inciting violence against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

Both have called the coronavirus the "Chinese Virus." Some Americans are attacking and using violence against Asian American adults and children because they blame them for the pandemic. This hate speech needs to stop.

Brandau and Trump need to issue public statements apologizing for their thoughtless characterization of the virus. If they don’t, they will be responsible for more ensuing violence.

Landlords need rent to pay bills

The editorial by Amber Crowell, Andy Levine and Janine Nkosi recommending a halt to evictions is short-sighted. If each of them owned a rental property, would they have the same view? There is a pervading opinion that all landlords are wealthy individuals or large corporations. This is not the case.

I was a property manager for 30 years. Almost all of my clients were individuals who owned one property. Many were retired and relied on the little they got after expenses to supplement their Social Security. None of my clients could afford to pay the rent for others, which is what disallowing evictions would amount to.

Will the county waive property taxes, will PG&E waive their bills, will Fresno quit collecting water, sewer and trash fees, will fire insurance bills be forgiven, will lenders waive mortgage payments? We can go further beyond housing costs ... will the grocery stores be required to provide free food, credit companies to waive payments, school teachers, government workers and elected officials to work for free? Let’s just make everything free.

To help, donate to nonprofits that provide housing assistance. Faith in the Valley could provide emergency housing funds.

This story was originally published March 25, 2020 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Brandau and ‘Chinese virus’: Letters to the editor, March 25, 2020."