Residents of the Chinese city of Wuhan haven’t forgotten the whistleblower doctor who warned the world about COVID-19 before he died of it himself a year ago.
Li Wenliang, a 34-year-old Wuhan ophthalmologist at a local hospital, became a poignant symbol of the early days of the outbreak, before it was officially recognized. When he tried to sound the alarm, he was reprimanded by Chinese officials for “spreading rumors.”
“He was the first to tell us about the virus,” Li Pan, 24, from Wuhan, who runs an online store, told Reuters on Saturday.
He must have thought the impact would be huge, but he still raised the alarm. That was really brave, ”said Li.
The doctor’s death on February 7, 2020 caused massive public mourning as well as a rare outbreak of anger online. Zhong Nanshan, a well-known epidemiologist, cried for Li in an interview, calling him a “hero of China.”
But when President Xi Jinping honored the ‘heroes’ of the ‘people’s war’ against the virus in September, he didn’t say a word about Li.
Life in Wuhan has largely resumed its pre-COVID rhythm, but locals said Li is still revered there.
Ji Penghui, a 34-year-old designer, said Li woke him up early on to the dangers of the virus. He said he rushed to stock up on masks before officials said anything about it to the public.
“The public recognizes him powerfully, and I personally think he should receive more official awards, rather than be treated like what he already did,” said Ji.