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(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Chicago residents Jose Corcoles and Carlos Matias wanted to help Chicago’s Chinatown when they learned that fears about coronavirus have kept patrons away from the South Side neighborhood.
Corcoles says some of these fears may be rooted in Xenophobia and racism.
The two friends organized a Facebook event for a restaurant “crawl,” featuring dozens of Chinatown restaurants, bakeries and cafes to show solidarity for the Chinese-American community.
"We were thinking 10 or 15 people tops,” Corcoles said Monday, as several people gathered. “We've had like 1,000 people either RSVP or interested or saying they're going.”
Matias added: "It really feels like we're going to be able to stand in solidarity with the Asian community, which is really what we're all looking for.”
Restaurant owners like Sam Ma have seen a dramatic drop in sales, mostly because of fear surrounding the coronavirus. The virus originated in China but has not become widespread in the U.S.
"Oh, we lost business, over 50 percent," said Ma. "It almost died, the Chinatown community."