I know some are probably thinking I'm a wack-a-doodle by even suggesting that History might judge China less harshly than the US. But China has been trying to buy their seat at the Global grownup table long before COVID. Investment in Africa, Central & South America, etc. COVID gives them another opportunity to flood the 2nd and 3rd world with PPE, equipment, eventual vaccines, etc. They will do the same for green energy initiatives too (they can multi-task and both work towards destroying and sustaining planet initiatives. That way you aren't ever wrong.)
Meanwhile the US, the supposed beacon of light and the shining example of democracy is going with do nothing, let people die, a leader that won't publicly recognize the result of an election, vaccinate the US first, and all the other nonsense. One party makes it policy to abdicate from the global stage, but then we still expect adulation?
China is still having trouble passing the "genocide is bad," portion of the global test, so maybe they don't get what they want either. But we have to mindful of the checkmarks and passing grades they can accumulate, while we are acting like spoiled children on the global stage.