I wrote the letter below and sent it to the Wall Street Journal on 2/5/20 after the Journal published an article entitled “ China is the Real Sick Man of Asia” on its opinion page on 2/3/20.

 
I am appalled by the title of Walter Russell Mead’s Feb. 3 article -- “China is the Real Sick Man of Asia” -- regarding the impact of the coronavirus on China and the world.      
 
“Sick Man of Asia” refers to the period in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when China was humiliated by Western powers and Japan into signing a series of Unequal Treaties, culminating in the Japanese invasion of China during World War II.  The way The Wall Street Journal uses this phrase to describe the current situation in China not only carries racist and imperialist undertones, but also shows great lack of compassion and empathy toward people who contract this devastating virus.
 
 Mr. Mead’s article focuses on what the U.S. should do if China’s economy weakens as the result of the spread of this virus.  He talks about the possibility of the return of unipolarity if the only possible great-power rival to the U.S. were to withdraw from the game. 
 
Predictions of this kind are not only wishful thinking, but clearly demonstrate lack of moral integrity. When the H1N1 virus epidemic erupted in 2009 that killed 18,000 worldwide and 4,000 in the US, did anyone talk about the collapse of the US economy as a result of the spreading virus?
 
Politicizing a public health hazard to suit one’s political agenda is not only wrong but also morally reprehensible!
 
Sincerely,
Christine Mei
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
 
 
Editor’s note:
 
An online petition to the White House demanding an apology from the Wall Street Journal to the Chinese community and either a retraction of the article or a rectification of the title was created on 2/6/20. Thus far, 115377 people have signed the petition.
 
 
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/racially-discriminatory-article-title-wall-street-journal
 

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The coronavirus (2019-nCoV, CV in short in this article) discovered in Wuhan City of 14 million people is a new virus causing over one thousand death and spreading with RO (basic reproductive number of infectious case) greater than 2 but the scientists are closing in on precisely identifying it, discovering curing medicine and developing vaccine preventing it to become epidemic or to reoccur. The world-wide media are covering coronavirus as a sensational news with typical exaggeration, rumors, sarcastic remarks, racial prejudice, and criticisms with some good and some bad intentions. In this article, we will, report only the facts and scientific knowledge to correct fake news and to reduce fear, panic and prejudice, such as headlines discriminating Chinese people on Wall Street Journal.
 
First, we start with the WHO Geneva conference (Feb 6 2020,https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/06-02-2020-who-to-accelerate-research-and-innovation-for-new-coronavirus). Scientists now have identified CV as a close cousin of viruses that infect bats jumping from unconfirmed wild bats to intermediate host, possibly pangolins or other small mammals sold in Wuhan food market. Unfortunately, the rapid action of closing the Wuhan animal food market cut off the opportunity for scientists to collect more samples and observe more transmission cases to characterize more precisely what is the CV’s origin, intermediate host and incubation process. From DNA or RNA studies, the scientists now know CV’s RNA has only 80% similarity with SARS virus (2003) but has closer similarity with virus found in bats in Zhoushan (舟山 90%）and Yunan （雲南96%). The 4% difference is still a big deal since we know human DNA has 98% similarity with Ape’s DNA. However, with today’s scientific research capability, CV’s ID will soon be ascertained. We should be hopeful that cure and vaccine will come soon.
 
From epidemiology point of view, lethality, means of transmission and speed of spread (RO: the number of people infected from one virus carrier) are key information to estimate the impact, to devise prevention measures and to adopt a plan for handling the worst scenario. We already know that CV could have more impact on older and weaker people and nearly none on children (stronger natural immune system). From lethality data, we know fatality with early hospitalized CV patients was 15%, considering only severe cases, the fatality was as high as 30%, higher than the 10% cited for SARS in 2003 but less than 35% cited for MERS in 2012. If we include light cases of CV, the fatality drops to about 3%. If including no-symptom cases, the rate is even less.
 
Scientists have essentially understood the transmission means of CV through past experience and current studies of its molecular nature. Close contacts (about 6 feet) between person-to-person allow spread via respiratory droplets produced by an infected person from coughs or sneezes, making droplets to land in people's mouths or noses or eyes or possibly be inhaled into their lungs. Touching a surface or object having CV virus on it can transmit into one’s own mouth, nose, or eyes, but the virus has a short lifespan (minutes) when ambient temperature is higher than 15 degree C or the object surface was sprayed with disinfectant. Based on the initial data, the RO range of CV is 1.4-2.5 (Jan 23, 2020 estimate which is being reduced as people separation and closing of cities took effect) comparing to missiles 12-18, smallpox 3.5-7, SARS 2-5 and flu 1.2-2.4. Hence, paying attention to disinfection, wearing mask and staying away from the sick and the crowd would be quite effective to prevent being infected.
 
Professor of Hygiene, Robert Koch (born 12-11-1843), a German scientist, had defined a standard for infectious virus: 1. Large number in patient; 2. Can be extracted out; 3. Can put in healthy person to cause sickness; and 4. Can find them in new patient. Rule 1 and 2 have been verified for CV by scientists with electronic microscope and DNA studies. (Zhu N et al, NEJM 2020, rule 1 and 2, and Huang C et al, Lancet 2020, rule 1), Rule 3 and 4 are partially proven by mice experiment (Zhou P et al, bioRxiv, 2020). Scientists knew that SARS came from bats (origin) through civet cats (middle host) and MERS from camel (Kau B et al, J. Virol 2005 and Samir JSM et al Science 2015), thus it is hopeful that soon the carriers of 2019-nCoV will be identified. Quick closing of Wuhan animal market did help stopping the spread of virus but also cut off its middle host trail unfortunately. However, scientists do know that CV did not come directly from bats (Huang C et al, Lancet, 2020).
 
The public reaction to the 2019-nCoV is quite varied; a large population were influenced by mass media and also by considerable information, correct or not, real or fake, and positive or negative discussions from the Internet. There are very wide range of sentiment towards the Wuhan outbreak of Coronavirus. Among China’s close neighbors, the timely and sincere support came from Cambodia whose Prime Minister even visited Wuhan and Japan who had sent medical supplies despite of a number of Japanese citizens were diagnosed with CV on a cruise ship now being quarantined in Yokohama. The remote countries like Australia and the U.S. seemed to be far more nervous championing early drastic measures and contemplating evacuating American citizens from China and stopping all travels to China despite of WHO’s advice not to do so. The UN team did declare Wuhan as an emergency case but praised China’s effective effort in containing the spread and her efficient actions in providing medical care, including building several hospitals with thousands of beds in a matter of ten days as well as mobilizing hundreds of thousands of voluntary medical professionals nationwide to join Wuhan and Hubei Province to battle the viral disease.
 
Among many criticisms, few are valid or reasonable. One fair criticism is that the early action of the officials in Wuhan as well as people in the know (as Wuhan’s direct superiors or relevant health, medical and scientific professionals) are not excusable in not immediately recognizing the danger of this coronavirus. Over concern of early disclosure of information, which may cause public panic, might have delayed finding more effective measures in dealing with CV. For example, quarantining the Wuhan animal food market instead of just shut it completely down may be a smarter action allowing valuable leads to scientific research for understanding, cure and prevention of CV.
 
Judging from the many scientific publications by the Chinese scientists in the various prestigious international journals such as Nature, NEJM, J. of Virology, etc., one can appreciate the amount of hard work the scientific teams devoted to CV. However, in the situation of potential epidemic, possibly pandemic, disease, time and knowledge are the essence in solving the problem. The archaic publication rules of most prestigious journals - only accepting and publishing firsthand, original, complete and 'expert refereed' articles are the culprit for delaying vital information to be disseminated and shared. These rules may be useful for Nobel Prize Winner determination years down the road but they are destroying the scientific and medical community’s opportunity to share early information and work collaboratively to save the society and thousands of lives. After all, saving human lives must be more valuable than winning a Nobel Prize.
 
 

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The Impeachment of President Trump was over on February 5th with 52:48 and 53:47 acquitted Trump as not guilty on charges of abusing power and obstruction of justice (Congress). From the NY Times news briefing on February 6, one gets a feeling that the Impeachment is over and the attention is focused on the Democratic caucuses with an issue of bringing to an end of endless wars overseas. In fact, the death of Hollywood Star Kirk Douglas was mentioned along with the two above news items in the morning news editor's opening remarks. The vote results were referenced to a separate report not explicitly stated in the news brief which sort of suggested votes not as important as the Impeachment process; a survey made at the National Mall in Washington DC concludes: “Everyone said it was a fraught process.” The only detail mentioned as news analysis about the Senate Impeachment vote was that the only Republican Senator, Mitt Romney, cast a guilty vote on Trump. I watched Romney's speech, through his emotional delivery, for some reason I see a vivid possibility of Romney switching to Democrat in the days ahead. A related news article mentioned was that Attorney General William P. Barr announced in a memo to ensure that elections are “free from improper activity or influence” and investigations into 2020 Presidential candidates must be cleared by top Justice Department officials. This memo issued on the same day Trump was acquitted in the Senate clearly would give all candidates including Trump a good night sleep.
 
The Iowa caucus results, although some said not critically important, definitely looks like an EKG report for the candidates, an early indication of any heart problem. Surprising to non-Iowan or not, Pete Buttigieg's slim lead got slimmer after 97% of precincts reports turned in. Buttigieg got 550 state delegates, Bernie Sanders 547, Elizabeth Warren 381, Joe Biden 331, Amy Klobuchar 255, Andrew Yang 22 and Tom Steyer 7 with 4 uncommitted votes. The message was clear that the top four candidates have a tough battle ahead and the rest may take a rest. In this caucus smart-phone app was used for the first time. Ken Sager, the Iowa Democratic Party Treasurer said, “All the Trump people from around the country started calling” during the one hour 20 minutes call time. Here is another issue in addition to balloting democracy faces: How do you use high technology for voting efficiency and accuracy and how to prevent fraud in ballot counting. As a technologist, I suggest that an ID registered election app is provided from the Federal government for each voter to use on his or her smart phone and public owned phones are available at the designated voting place to cast the vote. The voting procedure is that one first cast the votes then the system acknowledges receipt and return with the voting result to get another confirmation with ID verification. Phone camera is required to be on to assure voter acting independently and privately. Only the confirmed votes are then tallied. The voting is limited to a brief time window for random set of phone owners to prevent phone jam and fraud.
 
Coronavirus deserves to appear in the morning news brief. NY Times highlighted the increase of death toll to 563 for more than 28,000 confirmed cases. The fatality rate is about 2% (563/28000) appearing much higher than seasonal flu's death toll. CDC estimates that we have 9-45 million illnesses caused by flu, between 140,000 - 810,000 hospitalizations and 12,000 - 61,000 deaths annually since 2010. Thus, the death toll of flu is about 9% (12000/140000) or 7% (61000/810000) or 0.133% (12000/9000000) or 0.135 (81000/45000000) in a different interpretation. Actually, serious flu (requiring hospitalization) has a quite high death rate (7-9%) regardless whether we have vaccine or not. Of course the threat of  Coronavirus is that we have not developed vaccine or medicine. However, there were several hundred cases of cure and release which indicate like flu virus it can co-exist in human body. The issue is whether it can be easily transmitted from human to human. China's decisive measure of closing cities and municipalities with increased hospital care for suspicious patients seems to be the right approach for stopping the spread of Coronavirus and buying time to develop medicine and vaccine. I am glad to see the WHO and many countries are lending humanitarian support to China. The Chinese living in the U.S. have started massive donations and material support, a commendable effort. 
 
Kirk Douglas, a famous Hollywood star with many great movies such as, “Lust for Life”, “Paths for Glory”, and “Spartacus” died on February 5th at age of 103 (December 9, 1916 – February 5, 2020). He is known for his muscular role and strong character in films with his dimpled chin and penetrating gaze leaving the audience a memorable impression. Kirk has three sons and one of them, Michael Douglas, is also a famous actor. The fact that he lived to 103 adds to his legend, a tough character can live a long life. Like most immigrant family in the U.S. in the early twentieth century, Kirk had an impoverished childhood with six sisters. His success came after WW II with many of his post-war films. He was not only an actor; he became a producer, director and a philanthropist as well as an author of ten novels and memoirs. Naturally he received many awards including the Presidential for Freedom. He survived a helicopter crash (1991), suffered a stroke at 80 years old (1996) and lived to 103 as a religious person. Douglas's long life triggered my thoughts on our top presidential candidates' age; on election date, Sanders will be 79, Mike Bloomberg 78, Joe Biden 77, Donald Trump 74, and Elizabeth Warren 71, Does this tell us something?!  
 
As our readers know that the US-China Forum is formed by mostly senior American citizens, I appreciate receiving the free NY Times morning news brief sending to seniors. I enjoy reading unbiased morning news briefings. As we observe the Presidential campaigns, we recognize that our citizens are placing the future of the U.S. in the hands of seniors. For what reasons? I will say for their life experience, knowledge, wisdom,  judgment and most importantly their healthy body and mind.