Wuhan residents remember coronavirus 'whistleblower' doctor a year after his death

[rooster59]

Wuhan residents remember coronavirus 'whistleblower' doctor a year after his death

By David Kirton

 

A makeshift memorial for Li Wenliang, a doctor who issued an early warning about the coronavirus outbreak before it was officially recognized, is seen after Li died of the virus, at an entrance to the Central Hospital of Wuhan in Hubei province, China February 7, 2020. REUTERS/Stringer

 

WUHAN, China (Reuters) - A year after his death from COVID-19, residents in the Chinese city of Wuhan say they remain grateful to the "whistleblower" doctor who first sounded the alarm about the outbreak before it received official recognition.

 

Li Wenliang, an ophthalmologist at a hospital in the city, became one of the most visible figures in the early days of the outbreak in Wuhan when he tried to sound the alarm about its appearance, but was reprimanded by police for "spreading rumours."

 

The 34-year-old's death from the virus on Feb. 7 led to an outpouring of public mourning and rare expressions of anger online.

 

Several days later Zhong Nanshan, a renowned epidemiologist, shed tears for Li in an interview with Reuters, calling him a "hero of China."

 

But when President Xi Jinping honoured the "heroes" of the "people's war" against the virus in September, there was no mention of Li's contribution.

 

While people on the streets around Li's hospital say life in the city has mostly returned to its usual rhythm, they still revere Li for his actions.

 

As Reuters journalists visited the area around the hospital on Saturday they were followed by two men in plainclothes who identified themselves as "hospital parking security," and local guards blocked a cameraman from filming the hospital entrance.

 

"He was the first to tell us about the virus," said Li Pan, 24, who owns an online store.

 

"He must have considered the impact would be huge, but he still raised the alarm. That was really brave," Li said.

 

Ji Penghui, a 34 year-old designer, said he heard about Li's warning in the early days and rushed to stock up on masks before the officials spoke openly about the virus.

 

"The public strongly acknowledges him, and personally, I think he should receive more official honours, rather than being treated as what he did is already in the past" Ji said.

 

Ji said the government made mistakes in the early stages, but it has handled it well since.

 

A World Health Organization team is currently in Wuhan researching the early stages of the outbreak, and is preparing to present its findings, team member Dominic Dwyer told Reuters on Friday.

 

The team visited the sprawling Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market, thought to be where the virus first became an outbreak, which led to a pandemic that has infected over 105 million people and killed nearly 3 million worldwide.

 

The market site has been shut to the public since the beginning of last year.

 

The origins of the virus have become highly politicised, and some Chinese diplomats and state media have thrown support behind theories that the virus potentially originated in another country.

 

While 80-year-old Qian Wende said he does not know where the virus came from, he regards Li as a hero.

 

"We should be commemorating his contribution to fighting the pandemic," he said.

 

(Reporting by David Kirton; Editing by Kim Coghill)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2021-02-07

 

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[PatOngo]

13 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

Li Wenliang, an ophthalmologist at a hospital in the city, became one of the most visible figures in the early days of the outbreak in Wuhan when he tried to sound the alarm about its appearance, but was reprimanded by police for "spreading rumours."

....and look where that lead! The communists need to pay!

[Phuketshrew]

29 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

But when President Xi Jinping honoured the "heroes" of the "people's war" against the virus in September, there was no mention of Li's contribution.

Says it all really - massive cover up.

 

30 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

A World Health Organization team is currently in Wuhan researching the early stages of the outbreak, and is preparing to present its findings, team member Dominic Dwyer told Reuters on Friday.

Pissing into the wind comes to mind.

[ExpatOK]

2 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Li Wenliang, an ophthalmologist at a hospital in the city, became one of the most visible figures in the early days of the outbreak in Wuhan when he tried to sound the alarm about its appearance, but was reprimanded by police for "spreading rumours."

 

1 hour ago, PatOngo said:

....and look where that lead! The communists need to pay!

 

Now, look closely. Do you see any parallels with what is going on now in the US?

[PatOngo]

1 minute ago, ExpatOK said:

 

 

Now, look closely. Do you see any parallels with what is going on now in the US?

China is winning WWIII !

[Trentham]

Stop buying Chinese made products. It is the worlds purchase of their goods that gives them the money, thence the power to throw their weight around. China will quickly pull its horns in and behave if we all stop buying.

[Isaan sailor]

2 hours ago, Trentham said:

Stop buying Chinese made products. It is the worlds purchase of their goods that gives them the money, thence the power to throw their weight around. China will quickly pull its horns in and behave if we all stop buying.

Absolutely spot on.  The West has created this monster, and we can slow it down by simply looking at the label before we purchase it.  And buy Thai made products, or any other source.

[Deli]

Boykott China wherever possible and let their people know how disgusiting they are. In '89 people went onto the streets to overthrow the commies, what are the Chinese doing ? They worship and bootlick.

[tifino]

3 minutes ago, Deli said:

Boykott China wherever possible and let their people know how disgusiting they are. In '89 people went onto the streets to overthrow the commies, what are the Chinese doing ? They worship and bootlick.

...let the CCP know

 - the problem is the Politburo, not necessarily the people per se 

 

this is the word games trap the CCP plays back at outsiders who fall into

- in that the CCP sprouts 'racist racist' whenever the general 'chinese' term is aimed at from the outside

[Deli]

6 minutes ago, tifino said:

...let the CCP know

 - the problem is the Politburo, not necessarily the people per se 

 

this is the word games trap the CCP plays back at outsiders who fall into

- in that the CCP sprouts 'racist racist' whenever the general 'chinese' term is aimed at from the outside

 

Did the Chinese ever try to overthrow their tyrannic Government after the massacre at Tiannamen Squre ? They just surrendered like sheep. Bring the masses to the streets and drive out their commie Tyranns.

Edited February 7, 2021 by Deli

[tifino]

3 minutes ago, Deli said:

 

Did the Chinese ever try to overthrow they tyrannic Government after the massacre at Tiannamen Squre ? They just surrendered like sheep. Bring the masses to the streets and drive out the commie Tyranns.

one can see a point (mathematically) where their population is about 1,400 million versus a Military of 2 million... 

[Deli]

1.4 billion Chinese, incl. kidz, babies, elderly. They CAN make a difference and the world would watch. It's not like Thailand or Myanmar where the world give a f""" about it.

[spiekerjozef]

13 hours ago, rooster59 said:

A World Health Organization team is currently in Wuhan researching the early stages of the outbreak, and is preparing to present its findings, team member Dominic Dwyer told Reuters on Friday.

The findings will reveal a small handwritten note saying:

" It wasn't me ".