Too Much, Too Little, Too Early, Too Late

Nemo propheta in patria. 上海市卫生健康委员会 (Shànghǎi Health Commission) ordered to close for “rectification” the laboratory which first isolated and fine-tuned the genome sequence of the novel coronavirus. The shutdown was apparently due to the fact that the researchers’ team coordinated by Professor 张永振 (Zhāng Yǒngzhèn) published online the data of their discovery — which actually helped scientists develop diagnostic kits for the virus — before being authorised by government authorities. In fact, the publication dates back to January 11, 9 days before Chinese President 习近平 (Xí Jìnpíng)’s first official public acknowledgment of the novel coronavirus outbreak. As they say, “a queen is never late. Everyone else is simply early”.