US State files lawsuit against China on coronavirus handling

Missouri has become the first US State to sue China, alleging that Beijing suppressed information, arrested whistleblowers and denied the contagious nature of the novel coronavirus that led to the loss of lives and caused “irreparable damage” to countries globally. Filed in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, the lawsuit was filed by Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt against the Chinese government, the ruling Chinese Communist Party, and other Chinese officials and institutions.

The lawsuit alleges that during the critical weeks of theinitial outbreak, the Chinese authorities deceived the public, suppressedcrucial information, arrested whistleblowers, denied human-to-humantransmission in the face of mounting evidence, destroyed critical medicalresearch, permitted millions of people to be exposed to the virus, and evenhoarded personal protective equipment (PPE, causing a global pandemic that wasunnecessary and preventable.

   

“COVID-19 has done irreparable damage to countriesacross the globe, causing sickness, death, economic disruption, and humansuffering. In Missouri, the impact of the virus is very real – thousands havebeen infected and many have died, families have been separated from dying lovedones, small businesses are shuttering their doors, and those living paycheck topaycheck are struggling to put food on their table,” said Schmitt.

“The Chinese government lied to the world about thedanger and contagious nature of COVID-19, silenced whistleblowers, and didlittle to stop the spread of the disease. They must be held accountable fortheir actions,” he alleged.

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