White House: China shut lab of Shanghai professor who revealed genetic code of COVID-19

Mounting ar attack on China, United States has restated that Asian giant “mishandled situation” of coronavirus outbreak and cited Shanghai professor's lab being shut for revealing pathogen's genetic code. US along with some European and Western countries have been publically criticising China over spreing misinformation and delaying global response to pandemic along with World Health Organisation. While US President Donald Trump indicated that country would show retaliation to Chinese government by imposing tariffs, White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany reportedly said in his first press conference on May 1 that she “won’t get ahe of any anuncements” from Trump. 

Furr elaborating on her statement of China’s “mishandling” of global health crisis, McEnany mentioned how mainland refrained from sharing genetic sequence of vel coronavirus until a professor in Shanghai took decision on his own hands and revealed gene code. However, according to White House Press Secretary, Chinese government shut professor’s laboratory “for quote rectification”. McEnany also mentioned “slow-walked” information about human-to-human transmission of dely disease with WHO. refore, she concluded by saying that US takes “displeasure with China’s actions”.

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McEnany said, “It's secret that China mishandled this situation. Just a few examples for you; y did t share genetic sequence until a professor in Shanghai did so on his own. very next day China shut down his lab for quote rectification.”

“y slow-walked information on human to human transmission alongside World Health Organization and didn't let US investigators in at a very important time,” she ded.

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‘Certainly an option’

Meanwhile, while responding to a question related to sanctions on China, US President Donald Trump said that imposing tariffs on mainland is “certainly an option” for retaliating over handling of outbreak. US President strongly believes that outbreak which went on to kill over 239,600 people around world should have been contained in China, where it originated. dely COVID-19 disease has infected at least 3,401,231 people across globe. As of May 1, US has recorded 1,131,452 cases of coronavirus infections with 65,776 fatalities. However, Trump has t laid down timeline of imposing taxes on China. 

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(With PTI inputs)