Different Perspectives on the Pandemic part 2

written by 20725 Jung Jaewon

 

Part two of this five-part series, the Opinion section of the PRESS took an investigated look at China and how they reacted to the pandemic early on.

China

 

China, the origin of COVID-19, was the most dangerous country with the highest number of infections until early this year. The number of infected people quickly increased to 80,000. This number was a huge gap compared to South Korea, which had the second-highest number of infected people in the spring.

In the early stages of the virus, China declared martial law to prevent infection by controlling its people. China has not shared its data about COVID-19. Its government claims that China is not the origin of this epidemic.

Wuhan, China, was the first region to be infected by this virus. However, the Communist Party of China claims the pandemic did not have come from China due to its quarantine measures. They also praise themselves for their quick action to quarantine and the cooperation between the government and the public. 

Contrary to the Chinese government’s claim, some people have speculated that doctors and researchers in China have come up with data suggesting that COVID-19 started there. These doctors and researchers have criticized the government’s wrongful measures.  People also speculate that the government has caught these doctors and researchers and covered up information about this recent data.

 

My Opinion

 

I do not think we can put all the blame on the origin country unless the epidemic was deliberately created. Even if no apology is made for the outbreak, it is necessary to inform why, where and how COVID-19 came about. In this situation, where there is no vaccine, more information related to the virus is needed. To do so, China must report the exact facts and must not cover them up. If China actively helps pinpoint the cause of the COVID-19, it will greatly help end this pandemic.