Florida man attacks local Chinese restaurant to ‘save’ people from COVID

A Florida man allegedly attacked the owner of a Chinese restaurant with a shovel last week, claiming he needed to stop Chinese restaurants from releasing a new COVID strain in July, according to authorities.

What happened: Richard Jarvis, 43, attempted to break into Pearl’s Chinese Restaurant at 5438 Central Florida Parkway on Feb. 24, court documents said. He allegedly first tried breaking into the back door but failed. He then reportedly made his way to the front door and to the kitchen, which he began to destroy with a shovel. As the owner tried to flee, Jarvis allegedly struck him in the back and threatened, “If you run away, I’ll kill you.”

Shortly after, deputies from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office arrived to arrest him. He told them, “All Chinese restaurants are going to release a new strain of Covid on July sixth. I am a prophet; I’m trying to save everyone.” He faces charges including aggravated battery, criminal mischief and burglary of a structure with a weapon.

Why this matters: Six years since COVID-19 took over the world, the incident demonstrates that anti-Asian scapegoating remains a persisting danger. Jarvis’ baseless allegation that Chinese restaurants would release a new COVID strain suggests how racially charged assumptions and false conspiracy theories about Asian Americans and disease can fuel violence. Needless to say, such attacks leave lasting psychological damage that outlives any physical wounds.

The attack also highlights how pandemic-related misinformation continues to endanger Asian American communities. Florida recorded approximately 7.63 million COVID cases and 89,100 deaths through July 2023, yet rather than directing anger at the virus itself, conspiracy theories have scapegoated Asian Americans. Following last week’s attack, surrounding establishments have implemented stricter security protocols, including keeping entrances locked.