When it comes to assessing a government, especially an authoritarian government, it’s important to take a look at actions, not words.So, with the Coronavirus spreading, the actions of the Chinese government betray a clear sense of panic.The words are fairly calm, with the government saying they have the situation relatively under control, and that action is being taken swiftly.That’s what we would anticipate them to say.But when it comes to the actions, another story emerges.The whole city of Wuhan– with a population of 11 million people– is being quarantined. Including neighbouring
cities, over 25 million individuals are in lockdown.The airport is being shut down.Train stations are shut down.Buses, ferries, and other forms of inter-city transportation are being shut down.Citizens are being told not to travel.And all of this follows weeks in which Chinese authorities minimized the danger of the virus, saying just
41 individuals had it, in what progressively appears like a desperate cover-up.
Clearly, China’s authorities are afraid.That raises the following concern: If China is shutting down a whole city, why isn’t Canada restricting incoming flights from China?With the Lunar New Year travel rush en route, there is going to be a surge of people flying
to Canada from China, and individuals from Canada travelling to China, and then flying back.It’s a ready-made
dish for a huge prospective spread of the virus in Canada.And while there is no assurance of stopping it, the chances can certainly be
raised in our favour.A total constraint in inbound flights from cities around Wuhan would be a good place to start. Additionally, setting up ad-hoc quarantine and testing centres at all significant airports, and diverting inbound people from inbound flights from China to those centres would be another
key step.Finally, if the infection continues to expand of control, a total restriction on flights from China would have
to be considered.Some might see this as” extreme”or”going too far,”but in truth it has to do with the basic job of the Canadian federal government: Protecting the security and health of the Canadian People.We are all expecting the best, hoping that this does not end up being a pandemic which the spread is contained. While we hope for the best, we must prepare for the worst, and that implies taking swift action to restrict flights from China.If you agree, contact your MP and demand that they press for flight limitations now.Want to assist us grow? Here’s what you can do!
This content was originally published here.