I genuinely believe this was a deliberate attack by China in retaliation against increasing Western actions against Chinese trade. They did this by infiltrating the WHO, and using it to spread misinformation about the severity of the disease and the correct response. Initially they wanted it to spread globally, they locked down Wuhan locally but allowed international flights at the same time, while the WHO parroted misinformation about the disease not being transmissible. Next, when it was clear that it was slightly more serious that first believed they made a big song and dance about spending money on ad hoc hospitals, while the WHO advised countries they must cripple their economies, shut down completely and copy China's example. They used the period of spread in the EU to sell millions of utterly garbage medical equipment, while the WHO parroted the FUD that masks serve no purpose and buying them would deprive medical staff of them. At every stage China and the WHO have acted in a way that maximise the spread of the disease and pushed governments into taking the most extreme measures against it. I also believe that it is China's influence in academia that has led to so many utterly ludicrous claims that the virus will kill millions if left to its own devices, and also its tendrils in our media companies (including Reddit) that has led to the rampant journalist hysteria on the issue.