Li Wenliang

Li Wenliang (12 October 1986 – 7 February 2020) was a Chinese ophthalmologist at Wuhan Central Hospital who became known as a whistleblower for his role in warning about the outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan.

Early life and education

Li Wenliang was born on 12 October 1986 in Beizhen, Liaoning province, China. He graduated from the Wuhan University School of Medicine in 2004, specializing in ophthalmology.

Career

Li began his career as an ophthalmologist at the Wuhan Central Hospital. He was known for his dedication to his patients and his commitment to providing high-quality care.

Role in COVID-19 outbreak

On 30 December 2019, Li sent a message to a group of fellow doctors warning them about a possible outbreak of an illness that resembled Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in Wuhan, where he worked. He was later summoned to the Public Security Bureau of Wuhan and reprimanded for making false comments on the Internet.

Li returned to work, later contracting the virus from an asymptomatic patient. He was hospitalized on 12 January 2020 and confirmed to have the novel coronavirus on 30 January.

Death

Li Wenliang died from COVID-19 on 7 February 2020, sparking an outpouring of grief and anger on Chinese social media platforms.

Legacy

Li's death sparked significant controversy and criticism of the Chinese government's handling of the COVID-19 outbreak. His warnings were initially suppressed by the Wuhan police. He has since been recognized as a hero by the public for his attempts to alert the medical community about the virus.

See also

• COVID-19 pandemic in mainland China
• Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in December 2019
• Whistleblower

External links

• Li Wenliang: Death of Wuhan doctor sparks outpouring of anger - BBC News

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