New York City might not be home to any coronavirus cases, but Chinatown is feeling the negative effect of the safety concerns that surround the disease nonetheless. Unfounded fears of catching the virus have steered tourists away from the area, which has dealt a serious economic blow to a community that depends on visitors frequenting its stores and restaurants. So, NYC is launching a campaign to promote Chinatown and drive tourism dollars to the neighborhood.
Photo: Zoltan Tarlacz/Shutterstock
NYC Launches Campaign to Help Chinatown Businesses Hurt by Coronavirus Fears
The “Show Some Love to Chinatown” campaign will encourage people to purchase meals or items from local businesses, and take photos at the Baxter Street Triangle to qualify for a Valentine’s Day-themed raffle.
Chinatown small businesses have been hit hard by fears around the coronavirus. But we're driven to turn crisis into opportunity.
Proud to join @ChinatownNYC @CarlinaRivera to launch the Show Some Love in Chinatown campaign and hear from owners and workers #DineInChinatown pic.twitter.com/gMH7qIA8zt
— Margaret S. Chin (@CM_MargaretChin) February 12, 2020
Gregg Bishop, Department of Small Business Services commissioner, said, “We want to make sure New Yorkers know that they can come out and support all these small businesses, because they are the backbone of the city’s economy.”
It’s important to remember that although the virus originated in Wuhan, China, Chinese neighborhoods in the US are no more dangerous than any other. 