ABSTRACT
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that the outbreak of COVID-19 was a public health emergency of international concern after thousands of cases of the virus had been confirmed throughout the world. The incorrect reference to COVID-19 virus as the “Chinese virus,” and “Wuhan virus” has solidified misconceptions and led to a violent racial backlash against the East Asian population. Mental health professionals have raised concerns about the impact of COVID racism against East Asians, especially its effects on the older adults’ population. By supporting bilingual volunteers in the community to attend social work programs, the community will gain more bilingual social workers in the Asian community when social work professionals are more diverse. In this way, East Asian older adults can take active and affirmative action on their existing issues and COVID racism with help from Asian bilingual social workers.
