Too Little Too Late? China Finally Apologises To Family Of Doctor Who Warned About Coronavirus
In any other country, Dr. Li Wenliang would have been hailed as a hero for his insight that helped save thousands of lives from a virus outbreak.But unfortunately, Dr. Li was in China, where not only that he was never acknowledged, but was accused by the authorities of scaremongering and spreading panic.?
His crime? He warned about the possible outbreak of coronavirus. This was back in December when much of China, let alone the rest of the world had not even heard of the virus.?
Dr. Li an ophthalmologist from Wuhan had noticed that a 2003 Sars-like virus was spreading in the region and warned fellow medics and asked them to take precautions.?
He posted this message to fellow doctors in a chat group warning them to wear protective clothing to avoid infection on December 30.
But after someone leaked the message to the authorities he was summoned to the Public Security Bureau where he was told to sign a letter. In the letter, he was accused of "making false comments" that had "severely disturbed the social order". He was one of eight people who police said were being investigated for "spreading rumours".?
By January 30, Dr. Li had also contracted the virus and died in a Wuhan Hospital days later.?
Now, China has exonerated Li in a startling admission of error by the ruling Communist Party.The party¡¯s top disciplinary body said the police force in Wuhan had revoked its admonishment of Dr. Li Wenliang that had included a threat of arrest.It also said a ¡°solemn apology¡± had been issued to Li¡¯s family and that two police officers, identified only by their surnames, had been issued ¡°disciplinary punishments¡± for the original handling of the matter.?
China which has seen more than 3000 deaths to the Covid-19 outbreak is currently witnessing a slow down in the number of cases being reported.For days now, the country has not recorded even a single domestic case.?
The National Health Commission said all of the 39 new cases recorded Friday in China were brought from overseas, showing that rigid travel restrictions and social distancing requirements appear to have had their desired effect.?
After the outbreak was confirmed, China took the unusual step of locking down entire cities, which has since is being emulated across the world as a desperate measure to stop the outbreak that is infecting more and more people across the globe every passing day.
