[scurvy]

In terms of hygiene...

Don't Italy and Iran both practice a kiss greeting? A ka "la bise"?

Koreans have a rich history of sharing meals and eating from the same pot.

Could hardly call those practices hygenic. But the point is they've existed forever and probably aren't about to stop because of this.

Watch throwing stones in glass houses.

[imiric]

The difference is that those social practices don't introduce novel viruses to humans, whereas the handling of wild animals does. There are popular beliefs in China that consuming certain animal parts will bring health and well-being: tiger heart for courage, bear paw as an aphrodisiac, etc.

While unhygienic social practices are common around the world, and will cause further spreading of the disease, the mythology around food and more importantly the very unsanitary ways wild game is prepared and sold in China is what causes outbreaks of this kind.

I don't believe any sort of retribution towards China because of this is necessary, but they need to be pressured into banning these cultural customs and educating their people.