As Restrictions Lift, Chinese People Remember COVID Hero Doctor

After nearly three years of its harsh and extremely unpopular zero-COVID policy, the Chinese government announced on Wednesday the suspension of key parts of the contentious restrictions.

One of the ways some Chinese people expressed relief at the news was to go to the social media account of Dr Li Wenliang, the whistleblowing doctor who warned of the emerging coronavirus Wuhan and who was himself one of the virus’s early victims.

According to BBC News, they left messages “as if stopping by the graveside of a family elder” in which they shared their feelings.

“On the train, I suddenly remembered you and burst into tears. Dr Li, it’s over now, it’s dawn. Thank you,” read one message.

Another wrote: “I’ve come to see you and let you know – the dust has settled. We’re reopening.”

Chinese authorities punished the 33-year-old ophthalmologist for spreading “false statements”. He later died from COVID as he battled to save patients, prompting an outpouring of public grief and anger.

Xi Jinping’s campaign of zero-COVID aimed to completely eradicate the virus in China. The leadership hailed it as a success while other countries battled with surges of infections and deaths. Crucially, however, the policy made no use of Western-developed vaccines, mainly relying on the Chinese-developed and produced Sinovac.

Thus, with the lifting of the strictest parts of zero-COVID, people turned Dr Li’s page into a place to express their frustrations, hopes and grief. They also remembered his heroism in the face of authority.

“Those who blow the whistle are always worth remembering,” wrote one user. “I look forward to a more transparent society.”

China’s zero-COVID policy did appear to keep the country safe from the pandemic. There were 5200 deaths officially recorded in the pandemic while the US has recorded over one million.

The zero-COVID policy did not come without other costs. Sudden lockdowns saw people unable to get food. People testing positive for COVID were prevented from being with their families and were forced into centralised quarantine facilities. Gatherings and travel were subject to restriction.

Recently, workers broke out of a Foxconn factory which was supposed to be locked down for a quarantine. The event made international headlines as the authorities engaged in a manhunt for the escapees.

Some questioned whether the restrictions had been worth it.

“I took the subway this morning and for the first time did not have to look at the health code,” one user from Sichuan wrote.

“Some people say the epidemic has only started now after three years of hard work. So was it a waste of time? What of all those who paid a huge price, and even their lives for it?”

Others worried for China’s elderly population, many of whom are still unvaccinated.

“Dr Li, the real test of the three-year epidemic has begun. The epidemic is not as serious as yours, but I am exhausted,” one person wrote.

Source: BBC News