Flushing businesses persist amid coronavirus scare

A woman wearing a medical mask walks down Main Street in Flushing. Eagle Photo by Victoria Merlino. Eagle photos by Victoria Merlino.

By Victoria Merlino, Rachel Vick

Queens Daily Eagle

A rising death toll in China, widespread misinformation and even racist violence related to the coronavirus have put some residents across New York City on edge, but the predominantly Chinese community in Flushing is striving for normalcy. 

As of Feb. 10, there have been 12 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the United States — out of 398 people who were tested for the illness. None of the confirmed cases were located in the New York City area, according to the Center for Disease Control. Though a handful of people were suspected of having the virus in New York City — including two patients at Flushing hospitals — all have so far tested negative. 

K Lei, an employee at TKK Fried Chicken in a Flushing food hall, told the Eagle that he has noticed a slowdown in business, but he said the change could just as easily be a result of other factors, such as dreary weather. 

“There’s nothing to be worried about,” Lei said. “It’s all bulls**t.”

Leonard Lin Tze Siew, an employee at a liquor store on Main Street, said that he has noticed fewer Chinese customers lately, but he said concerns about the respiratory virus have not had a major impact on business. 

Concerns about the Coronavirus have compelled some Flushing residents to remain indoors.

“Mostly Chinese people are wearing the masks; [Other] people don’t care,” he said. “I don’t care — it’s not that serious.”

Some people have found a way to capitalize on concerns about the virus, he added. “I’ve seen businesses starting to sell masks,” he said.

Flushing Chamber of Commerce Executive Director John Choe said some residents are indeed concerned about the threat of the illness, but he said a slowdown at some Flushing businesses is part of a larger trend unrelated to coronavirus. 

“My observation is [that there is] panic and fear of the virus,” said John Choe, the executive director of the Flushing Chamber of Commerce. “Normally when you’re walking around Main Street people are bumping into you, and there is less of that.” 

Choe said he thinks some of the hospitality and travel businesses in Flushing — such as travel agencies — have been impacted by concerns over the virus. Nevertheless, he added, factors like recent trade disputes between China and the United States have also had a negative impact on Flushing businesses, making the virus just one component of broader issues.

“This virus is maybe accelerating that trend,” Choe said. 

Though more residents might be considering wearing surgical masks to protect themselves, Choe said health-conscious residents have long worn the face shields.

“Flushing always had a population of people who wore masks,” he said. “That’s not a new phenomenon here.”

Community institutions have also been forced to adapt in the wake of the virus. 

Fear in the early days of the virus forced Flushing Town Hall to cancel its Lunar New Year event, though it has no plans to cancel any of its other events, a spokesperson told the Eagle.

Several local leaders attended the 38th Annual Flushing Chinese Business Gala last month. Photo by Emil Cohen via City Council/Flickr.

The Flushing branch of the Queens Public Library actually saw an increase in attendance. Between Jan. 15 and Feb. 6 this year, the library hosted almost 96,000 patrons, up from around 88,000 people during the same time in 2019, noting a two-day library closure in 2019 during that span. A QPL spokesperson said that the library shared basic tips with staff about how to protect themselves from respiratory viruses.

Local Councilmember Peter Koo has been appearing at public events even more than usual in an attempt to abate fears, Koo’s Deputy Chief of Staff Scott Sieber told the Eagle. 

“We are concerned about the impact on local businesses and restaurants as Lunar New Year is a very busy time of year for them,” Sieber said in an email. 

“We have also heard various reports about discrimination against Asians, and we remind everyone that this is a virus, not a group of people,” Sieber wrote, referring to reports of Chinese residents being harassed and racially targeted in Manhattan and Brooklyn because of the virus.

“Fear-mongering and racism are unacceptable and will be called out for what it is. New Yorkers are renowned for supporting each other during times of crisis; this is no different.” 

Koo recommends residents continue “to go about their daily lives and take common sense precautions to protect themselves and their fellow New Yorkers,” he added.