On the "pointing fingers at China" :
Please keep in mind the so-called "west" had countless cover-ups in the past just as well.
So whoever is throwing mud right now likely doesn't wear a white, clean shirt himself.
On the handling of the situation :
China - just as most other countries - faced a few massive problems :
- ensure public trust in its own government and its ability to tackle the challenge
- international relations and the reaction of all other governments
- avoid national or international panic to maintain control and afford other nations the same
If I compare that i.e. to how other governments, organizations or the EU initially handled it, I vividly recall seeing the exact same patterns.
Even the WHO initially downplayed it severely.
I recall seeing one of the first appearances of Germany's RKI lead scientist and couldn't believe the nonsense he was still speaking at that time.
Based on some Details he talked about, it was absolutely clear he fully knew
far more than he was allowed to discuss in public and on national TV.
Same with the EU in Brussels, initially (and repeatedly) demanding nations to adhere to the Schengen Treaty and wait for a coordinated EU response - which at that time was already way too late and no signs of such a unified approach was even visible on the Horizon. All while individual Nations had already kicked into high gear because reality forced their hands with no time to lose.
Unfortunately, this is a perfectly normal reaction of pretty much any government. First step is always to maintain control and avoid loss of control at all cost (i.e. public panic).
This is to be maintained for as long as possible, even if it comes at a price.
How else could a government maintain control - even if they were factually not in control and still in the process of working out plans to regain the control a potent Biohazard in an outbreak scenario was ripping from their hands?
Either way, while typically happening with the best of intentions, those are some of the reasons the public will never get access to "red briefings" that occur daily behind closed doors.
When the public is given the declassified briefings.... don't ever expect the "real deal", that's not how it works.
So while it's easy (convenient?) to point fingers, as usual things aren't as simple or easy as they seem.
On top, the entire planet entered uncharted territory. All we ever had at this point were Simulations based on various Models. This time, however, it's a live scenario and we're right in the heart of it. All of us (unless you live in the Arctic/Antarctica or are an Astronaut on the ISS - or on a nuclear Submarine on a long-term mission maybe).
, we might as well listen to Kudlow or Bolsonaro, or ---- the list goes on forever. 
