People wait at a COVID-19 community testing center during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brooklyn New York, May 14, 2020. [Photo/Xinhua]
Wang Juan, 34, a Chinese-American who works as a marketing executive at a New York law firm, has also been affected. "I have worried a lot over the past few months. But, now I'm okay because my family have adapted to the situation." She, her husband and two kids left Manhattan to shelter in the suburbs.
In mid-January, she was in Shenzhen, China, preparing to celebrate Spring Festival with her Chinese family. When she found out about the severity of the outbreak, she rushed back to the United States before the lockdown and suspension of most flights.
The coronavirus has impacted her business. "I work with people involved in car accidents. Now few people are driving, so I have no business at all," she said. Wang projected her annual income would be reduced by up to 80%, yet she didn't meet the standard set by the Trump administration to send her cheques, as part of a US$2.3 trillion package enacted in March to cushion the economic blow.
"I will live on with my savings," she said, adding that she will cherish spending more time with her children.
Fleming also hasn't received any subsidies. "I still have some clients who are paying me but I have lost some income. I am taking this time to study and prepare myself for what comes next."
New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks during a daily COVID-19 press briefing on May 17, 2020. [Photo/Xinhua]
Commenting on the U.S. response to the pandemic, Fleming said he believed the U.S. was caught unprepared but was doing the best it could. "It hurts that the recovery is tangled up in the political process because that causes delays and confusion."
Wang pointed out the U.S. administration made light of the coronavirus at the very beginning when China sent out warnings to the World Health Organization as early as Jan. 3. "China has more community labor resources as the world factory that can produce more personal protective equipment. Also, people listen to their government," she said. "But the U.S. administration doesn't have such advantages."
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on May 15 that regions in the state would begin reopening. "Throughout this entire pandemic New Yorkers have stepped up to the plate and done a great job of working together to bend the curve, and today half the regions in the state will begin to reopen," he said.
The pandemic also delayed Mei's graduation from university. "My graduation is delayed. If the university reopens in August, I will go back to the U.S., but I fear I will run into racist attacks."
There are some voices in the U.S. who have blamed China for the virus. There have even been acts of racism and discrimination against Chinese and Asian communities.
"People always look to blame others, but I have no racist feelings towards anyone," Fleming said. "The world needs to work together to defeat this virus."
