VOL 40 NO 8 | FEBRUARY 20 – FEBRUARY 26, 2021

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VOL 40 NO 8 FEBRUARY 20 – FEBRUARY 26, 2021

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Attacks on older Asians stoke fear as Lunar New Year begins

Photo by Han Bui

Honoring healthcare workers and organizations A behind-the-scenes look at the pandemic

John Chen emceed the Northwest Asian Weekly’s virtual Healthcare Excellence Awards on Feb. 9

By Mahlon Meyer NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY A ceremony honoring healthcare providers and organizations opened up new ways of looking at the pandemic. The virtual event, hosted by the Northwest Asian Weekly on Feb. 9, was structured so that supporters were free to pose any questions to the

honorees. The results were illuminating. Healthcare professionals rated the Biden administration’s handling of the crisis, shared previously unknown details about the origins of the outbreak in Seattle, reflected on what practices they hoped would see HEALTHCARE WORKERS on 12

Health officials too late with equity measures, say AAPI leaders By Mahlon Meyer NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY An online briefing by county and state health officials for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) leaders on Feb. 10 led to an outpouring of frustration for failed, incomplete, and tardy efforts to address inequities in vaccine distribution. “An ongoing concern for me and others in the community is why some of these weren’t developed

earlier,” said Trang Tu, a community organizer, referring to equity plans announced by the officials. “I appreciate the efforts now, but it’s frustrating that this wasn’t figured out earlier so that ...everyone could have fair access.” Instead, she added, in a text message shared on-screen during the briefing, “We have some folks able to get access while others are effectively back of the line.” see VACCINES on 11

San Francisco’s Chinatown

By Daisy Nguyen THE ASSOCIATED PRESS OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Police are stepping up their patrols and volunteers are increasing their street presence after several violent attacks on older Asians stoked fear in San Francisco Bay Area Chinatowns and subdued the celebratory mood leading up to Lunar New Year. City officials also have visited Chinatowns in San Francisco and Oakland to address residents’ safety concerns and condemn the violence. They vowed to combat a problem that has been simmering since the start of the coronavirus pandemic but sparked new outrage after two unprovoked attacks were caught on video within a span of days and spread widely online. In one, a young man shoved Vicha Ratanapakdee to the ground on Jan. 28 as he was taking his morning walk. The 84-year-old Thai man’s head struck the pavement, and he died two days later in a hospital. Prosecutors charged a 19-yearold with murder and elder abuse. On Jan. 31, a security camera caught a man in a hooded sweatshirt barreling into a

91-year-old Asian man in Oakland’s Chinatown, causing him to fall face-first into the pavement, narrowly missing a bike rack. Police arrested the suspect and said he had assaulted a couple on the same block later that day and another on Feb. 1. In just the first two weeks of February, authorities recorded 18 crimes against Asian Americans around Oakland’s Chinatown, said Nancy O’Malley, district attorney for Alameda County. Community advocates said the attacks have left many older Asians fearful about going out to shop for the start of the Lunar New Year. Shops and restaurants are typically bustling in Chinatowns this time of year, but the pandemic and safety concerns have dampened the festive atmosphere. “There’s a huge amount of sadness and rage in the community,’’ said Alvina Wong, director of the Asian Pacific Environmental Network. “Folks are on edge and tense and don’t know when the next thing is going to happen. They see what’s happening in other cities, and it’s not see ATTACKS on 4

THE INSIDE STORY

COMMUNITY NEWS Taylor Hoang primed 3

PUBLISHER’S BLOG My diary on a snowy Lunar New Year  8 PICTORIAL Record-setting snow 6

LUNAR NEW YEAR Red, white, and Ox  7

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