There is so much that is wrong with the outbreak of the potentially-lethal Wuhan virus that it is hard to even know where to start.
Sure, the Chinese government has put its positive-spin-machine into overdrive now. But that was only after Chinese President Xi Jinping sanctioned an “all-out effort” to contain the spread of virus.
China has also put eight cities into lockdown, imposed travel restrictions and cancelled mass Chinese New Year celebrations, as the 2019-nCoV coronavirus claimed its 25th victim and infected – as far as we know or, at least, have been told – more than 800 people.
State of denial
It has all been too little, too late. Heaven only knows how many people have been unwittingly infected and are carrying the disease both within and without China.
Worryingly for the world, the first case of the Wuhan virus was detected on 8 December. That is 47 days ago. But it took more than a month before screening measures were even put in place….
…. Even then, China continued to peddle the line that the virus could not spread between humans… until it did. It added that the outbreak was under control…. until it wasn’t….
…. The police, reportedly, even arrested eight people for spreading rumours that the virus was related to SARS. If it looks like SARS, and infects like SARS, why even take the risk.
Mindless sycophants
We can only guess what was going through the minds of those “health” officials. Were they ordered to keep their mouths shut or were they just too afraid to tell “the emperor” the truth?
The Wuhan virus outbreak is symptom of everything that is wrong when too much power rests in the hands of just a few.
But it does highlight the need for us to be extra vigilant of any “news” from the Middle Kingdom, be it economic data, corporate accounts or health declarations. If it can’t be verified, then it can’t be trusted.
The coronavirus will probably run its course, in much the same way that any virus will run its course. So, don’t panic. But be vigilant and practice good personal hygiene.
The world will survive the Wuhan virus, but I am not too sure about the reputation of current Chinese regime.
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Disclosure: David Kuo does not own shares in any of the companies mentioned.
