CHINA SHOULD PAY FINANCIAL DAMAGES FOR COVID-19 CONSEQUENCES!  

June 25, 2022 – Chicago, IL 

More than one million people have now died of COVID-19 in the US, since the pandemic’s start, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Imagine, annihilating out one third of Chicago population or all inhabitants of 11 largest cities in Illinois, after Chicago: Aurora, Naperville, Rockford, Joliet, Springfield, Peoria, Elgin, Champaign, Waukegan, Cicero and Bloomington combined. Throughout the world the gruesome number is in the range of 13.3 million to 16.6 million (World Health Organization). And although we have recently seen a reduced number of new infections and deaths, unfortunately, many more casualties are expected this fall season and even in years to come. We have effectively fought the pandemic but the question remains who is responsible not only for this unprecedented threat and mayhem, but also for covering the pandemic origin.  

In civilized nations and countries, whoever is responsible for reckless loss of human life or for endangering our well-being, will be punished in the court of law, civil or criminal. It applies to careless drivers, operators of heavy machinery, plane pilots,  incompetent administrators (e.g. water pollution in Flint, Michigan), to name a few domestic instances.   

It is also the case in international relations. For example, Russia pays heavily for unprecedented and unlawful aggression on Ukraine. And Russian real estates, businesses, and even luxurious assets, such as yachts and planes, are being decisively intercepted and “frozen” by foreign governments.  So, why isn’t a similar policy applied to China? And why shouldn’t it?  

It’s been established by many international organizations that the communist People’s Republic of China is responsible for the “China virus”, which was released willingly or simply by human mistake with all its deadly consequences.  

At last, on June 9th, 2022, in its public report, the WHO claimed that “key pieces of data” to explain the origins of the coronavirus are missing. By the same token, suggesting China’s involvement in a cover up. Let’s remember here, that Chinese government many times prohibited international bodies (including WHO teams!) and inspectors from visiting and examining Wuhan – the alleged epicenter of pandemic. This behavior, in the face of world disaster, indicates a complete lack of cooperation, bad intentions and irresponsibility or even serious criminal neglect on the part of the Chinese government.  

That’s why, as U.S. Senator, I would strongly push for all the necessary legislative resolutions and legal steps to bring the responsible parties to justice. 

Financial damages for the Covid-19 pandemic can be pursued on two major levels. The first one should be done by the United States Government and Federal Courts. The second one – by petitioning the International Courts of Justice. 

United States can and should demand financial, compensatory and punitive damages reparations by simultaneous support undertaken by all or some of the four major parties to the lawsuit. The most significant proceedings is to apply legal measures by the Federal Government, followed by legal steps by individual States, then by legal action initiated by business entities, and finally by all individuals U.S. citizens. Some the last two were undertaking already by they should nonetheless be included in the comprehensive lawsuit against China. 

           United States should demand also financial damages by simultaneous support for all of  the above claims on international stage. All due compensations and reparations can be  claimed – first of all – by petitioning the International Court of Justice in Hague,  Netherlands, to make China’s President Xi Jingping responsible for the COVID-19  pandemic and therefore liable for financial damages it caused. Furthermore, all parties,  seeking justice, can petition the European Court of Justice in Luxemburg to urge the  Europe Union countries by example of the United States to file claims for financial damages on behalf of their member states. 

How much money are we talking about? According to National Library of Medicine report, published October 20th 2020, “the estimated cumulative financial costs of the COVID-19 pandemic related to the lost output and health reduction is estimated at more than $16 trillion, or roughly 90% of annual GDP of the United States. For a family of 4, the estimated loss would be nearly $200,000. About half of this amount is the lost income  from the COVID-19-induced recession; the remainder is the economic impact of shorter  and less healthy life”. 

And since the date, that this report was published, our pandemic costs are now significantly higher. And they are still growing very fast. When we take into consideration all other loses, on personal and our country’s level, and when we consider the fact, that COVID-19 continues to damage our lives and economy, the estimated fair amount of compensations in the range of at least $100,000-$150,000 per person wouldn’t be out of question when one adjusts also for inflation. And with additional punitive damages, it may be even much higher. 

The American people deserve the truth, safety and compensation on all levels, including moral and financial ones. When it comes to the monetary aspect of it, we are talking billions of dollars that would be fairly distributed among our fellow citizens (due project is in the works). 

All of this is a matter of not only elementary fairness and basic justice, but also it is our responsibility to commemorate all of our many fellow citizens that perished due to recklessness and irresponsibility of others, living millions of shuttered families and irreparably torn up communities.  

Unfortunately, our current government doesn’t do anything to address the problem. On the contrary – the White House recently promised to lift import limitations and barriers for Chinese merchandise shipped to the U.S., thus giving Beijing a reward without any accountability on its part.  

We simply cannot allow it to continue! We have to choose politicians that firmly stand next to fellow Americans and their vital interests. Support those that support you! Casey for Senate!