The New York Post and other media outlets have sparked criticisms online for a photo used in an article about the first confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) case in New York City.
Social media users have been blasting the publication for using a picture showing Asian people in Flushing, Queens while reporting on a confirmed case in Manhattan.
In the article, the patient has been described as a woman from Manhattan “in her late thirties” who contracted the virus “while traveling abroad in Iran.”
Twitter users were quick to point out that the Post could have used a more appropriate image.
In addition to the Twitter users accusing the New York Post from negligence to deliberate racism, some New York politicians also came out to condemn the terrible photo choice.
New York State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky posted a tweet echoing the concerns of others.
Councilman Peter Koo also tweeted to call the New York Post out about the problematic photo:
Councilman Barry Grodenchik had this to say about the image:
As misinformation and panic over the COVID-19 outbreak continue to fuel the spate of discrimination and violence against Asians in different parts of the world, many are now voicing out their concerns on how the media handles news on the disease.
As of this writing, the New York Post has yet to address the criticisms it received on social media.
The New York Times was also hit with heavy criticism after using a photo of Chinese locals in Flushing’s Chinatown. The publication has since changed the feature image, according to Diet Prada.
Feature Image via Google Maps
