[wenc]

> The absence of racism will not improve the outcome of this virus in any way whatsoever.

Racism/xenophobia is an undesired 2nd-order effect. When people are in survival mode they only care about 1st-order effects, and every man/woman for him/herself.

It's understandable, yet this also causes damage to society in ways that cannot be foreseen. It entrenches selfishness and normalizes lack of empathy for others. When things return to normalcy, there will be a cost.