Stressful times, like the current COVID-19 pandemic, can bring out both the best and the worst in people. Many are actively stepping up to help others by volunteering to work on the front lines of the pandemic, sewing masks or organizing food deliveries to the most vulnerable.  But others are behaving in ways that we may find harder to explain to our kids. For example, reports of violence and discrimination against the Asian community are cropping up across the country. As some have taken to calling the novel coronavirus the “Chinese virus,” fear and suspicion of Asian people has grown.

Whatever your family may believe about the virus and its origins, it’s always important to teach respect for all people and to model how we want to treat others. Our friends at Novelly have launched a social media campaign called #PeopleAreNotTheVirus to help shed light on the importance of supporting the Asian community and standing up against prejudice during this time. We’re joining their efforts by sharing these conversation starters about advocacy and standing up for others. We hope you’ll use them as a way to share your family’s perspectives and values, not just about what’s happening now during the COVID-19 crisis, but about unfair and prejudicial actions at any time.