InfoSearched
Published -
- April 5, 2020
- 9:33 am
SPECIAL REPORT
Chinese journalists have shed light on their country’s deadly coronavirus cover-up which has led to tens of thousands of deaths and sent global economies crashing to a halt.
What lessons can be learned from China’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, in terms of transparency and open communication between governments?
SPECIAL REPORT: China’s deadly coronavirus cover-up
The outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) globally has caused enormous damage to countless individuals and economies worldwide. The origins of the virus are still unknown, but it is believed that it originated from a wet market in the city of Wuhan in central China. The initial reaction of the Chinese government was to downplay the outbreak, and it has been widely reported that they covered up important information about the virus.
Initially, reports surfaced that Chinese officials warned doctors to keep quiet about the virus, and whistleblowers were punished for speaking out. It took weeks for Chinese authorities to admit that the virus was transmittable from human to human. During this time, the virus had already spread beyond the borders of China, and containment became an impossible task.
The severity of the situation was highlighted when Chinese doctor Li Wenliang, who was one of the whistleblowers, lost his life to the virus. He was punished for speaking out and accused of spreading rumors. This tragic event was a reflection of the Chinese government’s reluctance to share vital information with its citizens and the rest of the world.
It’s safe to say that the majority of the global population was initially unaware of the novel coronavirus, with many international governments relying on information shared by the Chinese government. The Chinese government was downplaying the situation until the city of Wuhan was forced into lockdown without any warning. This scenario led to the virus spreading to other parts of the country, along with a large number of Chinese people traveling to other parts of the world.
Despite warnings from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Chinese government continued to downplay the situation, and misinformation was rife. There were reports of the Chinese government destroying evidence of the virus and even covering up the true number of cases and deaths. This is backed up by the fact that there was a delay in the release of data and that the Chinese government restricted international flights from China to other parts of the world.
The coronavirus crisis has highlighted that the Chinese government is still struggling to be transparent with its citizens and the rest of the world. The cover-up and downplaying of the severity of the virus are a reflection of the Chinese government’s approach to transparency in general.
In conclusion, China’s deadly coronavirus cover-up highlights the need for transparency, open communication, and cooperation between countries. Failure to do so can lead to significant and irreversible consequences, as evidenced by the coronavirus pandemic. It is essential to learn from this experience and ensure that all governments prioritize transparency and openness in dealing with issues that affect us all.
