When Dr. Li Wenliang heard that a new, highly infectious virus was spreading among patients, he warned his friends and family. An ophthalmologist at Wuhan Central Hospital, Dr. Li was a firsthand witness to the beginning of a global pandemic.
He shared internal hospital memos and voiced his concerns of a possible return of SARS in a private chat group with colleagues. Though he asked for discretion, it wasn’t long before his messages echoed across Chinese cyberspace.
And Wuhan Police were not amused.
They blamed Dr. Li for spreading false information. Police officials demanded that he recant his social media posts and threatened the doctor with prosecution. Dr. Li signed their affidavit and returned to work.
Five days later, Dr. Li Wenliang was treating a patient suffering from glaucoma.
When the patient complained of a fever, Dr. Li suspected it was the new virus. And when Dr. Li Wenliang developed his own fever and cough 48 hours later, he was sure of it. Wuhan Hospital admitted him to ICU and had him quarantined.
While hospitalized, Dr. Li posted another message on social media. But this time he made it public.
In his public post, Dr. Li warned the world of a new coronavirus. And then he vowed to return to the frontlines of his hospital as soon as he recovered.
Less than a week later, his heart stopped beating. On February 7, 2020, Dr. Li Wenliang was confirmed dead.
Dr. Li Wenliang:
Martyr
Whistleblower
Hero
Unlike the accusations made against him by Wuhan Police, Dr. Li wasn’t a gossiper or a whistleblower.
Unlike the stories told by global headlines, Dr. Li was not a dissident or a protestor.
Very much like so many other doctors and nurses and hospital staff around the world, Dr. Li put his life at risk to help others. He was a man trying to do his job. Trying to protect those around him. And for that, he paid the ultimate price.
So today, a year after his passing, we remember Dr. Li Wenliang and his colleagues for their bravery and their sacrifices to keep us all safe.
We honor his sacrifice by following the guidelines set by health officials:
Wear a mask, keep social distance, and wash your hands.
Stay safe!
More To Read:
- https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2001316?query=featured_home#figures_media
- https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-wuhan-doctor-anniv-idUSKBN2A60AK
- https://apnews.com/article/3c061794970661042b18d5aeaaed9fae
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html
- https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public
