Pittsburgh's Chinese population postpones parade to focus on helping coronavirus victims

The Chinese community in Pittsburgh would normally be celebrating this time of year, but the outbreak of the coronavirus in parts of China has spurred officials with the area’s Asian Pacific American advocacy group to postpone a planned Lunar New Year Parade. It was set for Sunday in the city’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood.

“Our hearts are with China now,” said Marian Lien, president of the Pittsburgh chapter of the Organization of Chinese Americans, a group that advocates for Asian Pacific Americans.

The group made the decision to postpone the parade for a few weeks to allow the city’s Chinese population to focus on helping their friends, family and loved ones in China who are dealing with the fears that the deadly outbreak has wrought, Lien said.

The outbreak is centered in Wuhan, a city with a population of about 11 million that has a “sister city” tie with Pittsburgh.

Between 200 and 300 Wuhanese live in the Pittsburgh area, Lien said. They are especially worried about the virus and how it may impact their loved ones.

It’s also had an impact on the city’s larger Asian American population, as some have been exposed to what Lien called “racist tropes” since the virus began making headlines.

“I myself have faced a few comments,” Lien said.

The city has a Chinese population of about 25,000, she said.

Jewish Family and Community Services, a group that helps refugees, immigrants and other people in Pittsburgh, is working with OCA to find the best way for Pittsburghers to help, said president and CEO Jordan Golin.

The main thing Pittsburghers can do to help is to be good neighbors, Golin said.

When something like the coronavirus outbreak happens, people’s initial reaction is to retreat, Golin said.

But local health experts have advised there’s little risk to people in the Pittsburgh region. Emergency officials are making preparations should that risk increase.

Golin advised other Pittsburgh residents to reach out to the Chinese community and support them.

“Our biggest concern at this point is the people in China suffering from the coronavirus and for the family members living here in Pittsburgh desperately trying to figure out how to help,” Golin said.

The group has talked to the Chinese community and determined the greatest need at this point is for medical supplies in China.

JFCS is advising people who want to help to contact Pittsburgh-based Brother’s Brother Foundation, a group that provides medical supplies around the world. The foundation is working with other organizations and groups, including those from the University of Pittsburgh, to coordinate relief efforts.

A new date for the Lunar New Year Parade hasn’t been set, but it is expected to be held in early March, Lien said, when it is hoped local Chinese families will be better able to celebrate.