The ongoing Wuhan coronavirus outbreak has presented numerous opportunities to witness the good, the bad, and the ugly sides of humanity: one moment, we are made to feel all warm and fuzzy inside when we read about donations and displays of public support, and the next, we’re scratching our heads over outraged comments from scorned netizens and restaurants getting trashed because of fake news.

In the latest related hoo-ha, Taiwan-based Malaysian singer Gary Chaw has been bombarded with criticism thanks to a seemingly innocuous — and even sweet — throwback photo of himself and his grandpa that he posted on Facebook.

“My surname is Chaw. What about you? This is my grandfather… from China. Without him, there is no me. It’s been a very long time since he left us. [For him] to be insulted and scolded today makes me feel very helpless as a grandson. There are many things that can be changed, but one thing that remains is… he is my grandfather, a kind-hearted, loving, and compassionate Chinese person. Half the blood that flows through my body is my grandfather’s.”

Netizens apparently didn’t take too kindly to his tribute and soon began attacking him in the comments section, accusing him of doing it to suck up to China amidst the virus outbreak situation.

“Can someone explain who exactly insulted his grandfather? Why would someone scold his grandfather? It doesn’t make sense. And is anyone going to remind him that the person with half his grandfather’s blood is actually his father? He [Gary] only has a quarter of it,” one irate netizen wrote, as another scoffed, “The smell of the renminbi is incredibly sweet.”

The remarks clearly did not escape Gary’s attention. The day after his original post went up, he added a lengthy comment in response to the backlash, saying, “Assuming God let this outbreak happen for a reason, I believe it was to break down barriers, not build more walls.”

The 40-year-old singer went on to share that he was heartbroken after hearing about how Chinese people were facing discrimination because of the virus. “I have friends and loved ones overseas who were chased back into their homes by their neighbours just because they have black hair and yellow skin. All this makes me very, very sad.”

“We are all human beings, and we all have the opportunity to get into dangerous situations regardless of our race and where we’re from,” he continued. “We should be united instead of divided in the face of this epidemic. Right now, it’s a global issue.”

Gary also apologised, acknowledging that everyone has their own opinion. “I cannot understand why some people are scolding me, just like how those scolding me may not understand what I have personally experienced, but I am willing to respect them.”

What he said next, however, sparked a load of sassy comebacks regarding one’s ancestry. “I have my grandfather’s blood in me, Gary reiterated. “I was born in Malaysia, but have travelled to many cities and countries for work and studies. My home and my beloved family are in Taiwan. Is it necessary to scrutinise whom I’m talking about and why?”

While there were a number of followers who voiced their support for the singer, one reply that garnered even more “likes” than Gary’s comment questioned his need to bring up his ancestry again. “I’ve never heard an American say they are British,” read the comment.

“My great-grandfather was from the Qing Dynasty,” wrote another unimpressed netizen. “If we’re talking about one’s motherland, then isn’t mine in the Qing Dynasty? But the Qing Dynasty has collapsed, which means my motherland has been destroyed as well.”

Photos: Gary Chaw’s Facebook and Instagram