Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt filed a lawsuit Tuesday, April 21 against the Chinese government for causing the global coronavirus pandemic.
KMBC News reported that the lawsuit claims “China suppressed information, arrested whistleblowers, and denied the contagious nature of the COVID-19 pandemic. The lawsuit filed in the U.S. District courts alleges that China’s actions led to the loss of life and severe economic consequences in Missouri.
In the lawsuit, Schmitt said, “Thousands have been infected and many have died; families have been separated from dying loved ones; small businesses are shutting their doors, and those living paycheck-to-paycheck are struggling to put food on their table. The Chinese government lied to the world about the danger and contagious nature of COVID-19, silenced whistleblowers, and did little to stop the spread of the disease. They must be held accountable for their actions.”
The number of Missouri deaths statewide rose to 283, as of Sunday, April 26, according to John Hopkins University. The number of cases rose to 6,881.
Masks have been at high demand as many caretakers, hospitals and regular civilians cannot get their hands on them. Many states have put in place an order that people who are out in public have to be wearing a mask, which isn’t easily accessible to many.
According to USA Today, , The lawsuit additionally accuses the Chinese government of making the COVID-19 pandemic worse by “hoarding” personal protective equipment, like masks.
It is unclear whether the lawsuit will have any impact at all. Missouri Democratic party executive director Lauren Gepford called the lawsuit a “stunt” by a Republican attorney general who is up for reelection this year. China is protected by the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, but the attorney general in Missouri believes that there are exceptions.
The virus has since spread to every continent in the world except Antarctica. There are at least 2.5 million confirmed cases of the coronavirus across the globe and at least 171,000 deaths, according to data compiled by John Hopkins University.
The majority of the states in the U.S., including Missouri, have gone under some form of shelter-in-place or lockdown with exemptions for essential goods and services. Unlike other states, Missouri Governor Mike Parson has allowed nonessential businesses to stay open, as long as they comply with the social distancing requirements, which mandates that no more than 10 individuals can occupy a single space.
As reported by NBC News, the Chinese government responded to the lawsuit, calling it “very absurd.” China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman, Geng Shauang, continued, “The legal action has no factual and legal basis at all. The ministry and other Chinese government departments have denied accusations that have been made over the outbreak in the central Chinese city of Wuhan… These so-called lawsuits are purely malicious abuses.”
