As the death toll rises from COVID-19, many look to point fingers and assign blame. Some took it a step further and filed a class action lawsuit against the People’s Republic of China (PRC) for causing this catastrophic, global pandemic. As of 8:00 pm on Monday, March 23rd, there were 43,697 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States with 546 fatalities and rising. The numbers are even more astonishing on a global scale with a worldwide total of 378,392 confirmed cases and a staggering 16,490 deaths.
In addition to the increasing threat COVID-19 poses and the ever-increasing death toll, many people are being displaced from their jobs, businesses are being forced to close their doors, and even schools are closing. Many are left wondering about their financial future and their child’s education. The novel coronavirus has yet to peak and already had huge ramifications for citizens of the United States, and throughout the globe. The worst, we fear, is yet to come.
The individuals filing the class action lawsuit on Thursday, March 12th have filed against the PRC and several PRC government entities such as the National Health Commission of the PRC, which is the administrative government body/executive department responsible for formulating health policies in mainland China. The plaintiffs allege that Chinese authorities “proverbially put their head in the sand” for their own “economic self-interest, thus sparking the global COVID-19 outbreak.”
The lawsuit claims that China knew of the lethality of COVID-19 yet refused to take necessary actions early enough to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Despite being filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida by several Florida residents (including a business), the lawsuit includes the millions of individuals and businesses with “injury, damage, and loss related to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus”, including “discernible physical manifestations and injuries of trauma from the negligent conduct, including, but not limited to physical pains, headaches, anxiety, and insomnia.”
What is COVID-19?
The COVID-19, also known as the novel coronavirus, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus first identified during an outbreak in Wuhan, China. The first instance of COVID-19 in the United States was reported on January 21st, 2020.
Prevention of COVID-19 (novel Coronavirus)
Wash your hands. We can’t stress this enough – wash your hands. Maintain social distancing of at least 6ft from other individuals. Avoid touching your face, nose, mouth, etc. Routinely disinfect frequently touched surfaces. Stay home if you’re feeling unwell. With COVID-19 being a respiratory infection, avoiding activities that weaken the lungs – such as smoking – is also recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Symptoms of COVID-19
As with many illnesses, symptoms can range from mild to severe. Individuals with mild symptoms who are otherwise healthy should self-isolate and contact their medical provider (or COVID-19 information line) for guidance. Those with underlying medical conditions and those with fever, cough or difficulty breathing should call their doctor or seek medical attention.
Keep in mind that symptoms generally take 2 – 14 days after exposure to develop.
Symptoms of COVID-19 can include:
- Fever
- Dry cough
- Tiredness
- Shortness of breath
Experienced Class Action Attorney in Florida
If you or a loved one has been impacted by COVID-19 (the novel coronavirus), you’ll want an experienced class action attorney on your side. To join the lawsuit or to learn more about your legal options, contact Julie Rice & Affiliates by emailing juliericelaw@icloud.com or by messaging us on our contact us page.