Residents in the Chinese city of Wuhan have not forgotten the complaining doctor who warned the world about COVID-19 before he himself died 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, Chinese officials reprimanded him for “spreading rumors.”
“He was the first to tell us about the virus,” Li Pan, 24, of Wuhan, an online store owner, told Reuters on Saturday.
“He must have considered the impact would be huge, but he still raised the alarm. He was really brave,” Li said.
The death of the doctor on February 7, 2020 caused a huge public mourning and a rare cry of rage on the net. Zhong Nanshan, a renowned epidemiologist, cried about 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 did not say a word about Li.
Life in Wuhan has mostly resumed its pre-COVID rhythm, but locals said Li is still revered.
Ji Penghui, a 34-year-old designer, credited Li with waking him up at the beginning of the dangers of the virus. He said he was quick to stock up on masks before officials told the public anything.
“The public recognizes him and I personally think he should receive more official honors instead of being treated like he did in the past,” Ji said.