© Provided by Washington Examiner President Biden signed four executive orders intended to combat racism, including an order that directed government agencies to find and remove any offensive references to the coronavirus.
Biden's order calls on government agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services, to determine whether or not xenophobic references are found in public guidelines or policies and to immediately remove those references, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The Biden executive order is expected to "examine whether there are xenophobic references like 'China virus' in any existing policies, directives or government websites published by the Trump administration," CBS News reported.
"During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, inflammatory and xenophobic rhetoric has put Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) persons, families, communities, and businesses at risk," the order reads. "The Federal Government must recognize that it has played a role in furthering these xenophobic sentiments through the actions of political leaders, including references to the COVID-19 pandemic by the geographic location of its origin. Such statements have stoked unfounded fears and perpetuated stigma about Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and have contributed to increasing rates of bullying, harassment, and hate crimes against AAPI persons."
Former President Donald Trump was criticized during his presidency for referring to the coronavirus, which originated in China, as the "China virus."
Additionally, Biden signed orders calling on the Justice Department to more accurately trace hate crimes against Asian Americans, reinstate a fair housing regulation that Trump repealed, and halt the Justice Department's use of private prisons.
Biden signed at least 37 executive orders during his first week in office, which is more than any president in American history.
Tags: News, Joe Biden, China, Coronavirus
Original Author: Andrew Mark Miller
Original Location: Biden signs executive order instructing agencies to stop using 'xenophobic' coronavirus terms like 'China virus'