Choose between democracy and life

"Some of the wealthiest nations not only lack toilet paper but also don't have virus test kits, even 10 weeks after China shared the virus genome with the world. Why on earth are these nations so unprepared?" he asked.

"Even a little logic should have suggested that the virus is coming but they not only did not prepare, they also went to great lengths to explain why their 'democracies' could not take China's lead," Brown said. "Even a week ago, western media were writing how China's acrimonious measures, such as quarantines and restrictions on travel, deprived people of their basic rights of freedom of movement."

Staff disinfects a quarantine site. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

In his view, with the epidemic evolved into a pandemic, governments from different countries scrambled to implement many of China's measures.