Concerns Raised at Plymouth City Council Meeting Over ‘Wuhan Flu’ Comment
At this week’s Plymouth City Council meeting, residents spoke out in public forum against a council member who used the term “Wuhan flu” to refer to COVID-19 at a November council meeting.
“It was the first time I felt like Asian families were intentionally disrespected here in Plymouth,” said Kimberly Nguyen.
Chen Zhou said he was appalled to hear a council member use the term “Wuhan flu.”
“The least we can do is treat your fellow Plymouth residents with decency and respect. Please stop weaponizing the virus,” said Zhou.
Council Member Speaks About COVID-19 Experience
The incident the residents were referring to goes back to a council meeting on Nov. 23 when council member Jim Prom spoke in public forum about his recent experience with COVID-19. He spoke for three minutes, saying the virus nearly killed his father and that it was a “wicked one.” He held up an N95 mask and urged people to respect the choice of others to wear a mask.
“The point I want to make about my experience is one of compassion. Those of us who have suffered and survived the Wuhan flu need to be compassionate for those who have not,” said Prom during the Nov. 23 meeting.
Throughout his speech, he referred frequently to the virus as “Wuhan flu,” a term which didn’t sit well with residents who spoke out on March 8. Even though council members do not routinely respond to matters brought up in public forum, Prom did respond to the comments.
“The point I was trying to make that night is, it was a terrible, serious virus and that if you are serious about protecting yourself, you should use an N95 mask like Mike Osterholm said. These people came in tonight to say I said racist things and I didn’t. I was trying to get to the people who are concerned about this awful virus,” said Prom. “I don’t appreciate being called a word when I’m not.”
Prom did not apologize. He instead offered to meet with people to talk about the issue.
The participants in public forum also spoke in favor of the city’s diversity, equity and inclusion manager position. The city is currently hiring for that role.
