It's not just politics. This is matter of trying to placate China so that they don't hide numbers from international/outside health organizations to save face.
My understanding is that China was less than forthcoming about actual infection/death rates when SARS was making it's rounds.
Disclaimer: I do not have a source for this. This is heresay from the hubub around the current crisis so take it with a grain of salt.
I was surprised by an NPR blurb yesterday talking about how China may have to put off its annual Communist party planning meeting, and how that would be an embarrassing concession by the Chinese.
I was so disappointed in them. How should it be embarrassing to take a deadly and contagious pneumonia outbreak seriously? Do you want them to feel they should hide it?
(You being NPR). I know you don't mean anything bad by it.
I think you’re reading that incorrectly. NPR is likely not saying they should be embarrassed, they’re saying they would be embarrassed. That’s just a fact.
My understanding is that China was less than forthcoming about actual infection/death rates when SARS was making it's rounds.
Disclaimer: I do not have a source for this. This is heresay from the hubub around the current crisis so take it with a grain of salt.