Taking lessons from COVID-19: Inquirer.net observes China’s “lack of transparency” on HMPV

CHEERS TO Inquirer.net for raising concerns about China’s “lack of transparency” about alleged cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) reported in the country, recalling China’s lack of openness about the start of COVID-19 cases in 2019.

Posts of an alleged virus outbreak and photos of overcrowded hospitals have spread on social media, stirring fears of another potential global pandemic. So far, no international agencies have confirmed, denied, or described the situation in China. The Department of Health said that China itself and the World Health Organization have not confirmed the outbreak. 

Dale Arasa’s report on Inquirer.net cited international news organizations to describe the global response. In his report on January 7, Arasa referred to the report of Daily Mail in the United Kingdom which said, “doctors in the United States and other Western countries are urging China to share more details on the virus amid the increasing number of cases in different parts of the world.” Arasa also referred to Reuters which had reported on China monitoring cases of HMPV. 

The Inquirer.net report, along with ABS-CBN News, GMA News Online, and Rappler, gathered facts from international sources about HMPV, including its history, symptoms and treatment. Only Inquirer included any reference to the lack of information from China and reference to past pandemic experience. 

On December 27, Reuters reported that China was “piloting a monitoring system of a pneumonia of unknown origin, with cases of some respiratory diseases expected to rise through the winter. The move to establish a dedicated system is aimed at helping authorities set up protocols to handle unknown pathogens.” The report noted this “in contrast to the lower level of preparedness five years ago when the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 first emerged.”

The Philippine Star’s editorial on January 9 also deserves to be cheered. It discussed the need to learn from the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic. Citing experts, it described the vulnerability of world to the growth of new and unknown viruses and pathogens. It recalled Taiwan’s best practice in contrast to the bungling in our country. The pandemic exposed the dire inadequacy of our health care. The Philippines cannot be complacent and should address these weaknesses amid health threats. And the media should do what it can retain these lessons in the public forum. 

In reporting the health situation in China, media organizations should bear in mind that speech and information are strictly controlled in China and its citizens and foreign workers there are well aware of government watching what you say to media.  The Chinese Embassy represents the government and is involved in propagating claims over West Philippine Sea and other issues. 

Reporting on any disease outbreak calls for care and caution. Media must not cause undue alarm as it seeks reliable independent sources for crucial information. It must alert the public to the lack of information and the dangers of delayed policy action or mistaken policies. Journalists should not waste the lessons gained from the pandemic, a painful passage from which the Philippines has so much to learn.