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Feb 7, 2020 - World

In photos: Wuhan and Hong Kong mourn doctor who warned of coronavirus outbreak

Orion Rummler
In this image, several people in Hong Kong wearing face masks hold flowers and stand in a silent vigil outside at night
A Feb. 7 vigil in Hong Kong for Li Wenliang. Photo: Anthony Wallace/AFP via Getty Images

Vigils were held Friday in Hong Kong and Wuhan to mourn Li Wenliang, an ophthalmologist at Wuhan Central Hospital who sounded the alarm on the coronavirus, for which Chinese authorities attempted to silence him. Wenliang reportedly died this week after contracting the virus.

The big picture, per the New York Times' Li Yuan: "For many people in China, the doctor’s death shook loose pent-up anger and frustration at how the government mishandled the situation by not sharing information earlier and by silencing whistle-blowers."

  • The Chinese government "delayed a concerted public health offensive" around the coronavirus by silencing doctors for raising red flags in the first seven weeks after symptoms appeared in December, the Times reports, citing two dozen interviews with Wuhan residents, officials and doctors.
In this image, a person wearing a protective face mask places flowers against the front glass doors of a building
A citizen pays tribute at Wuhan Central Hospital on Friday. Photo: Feature China/Barcroft Media via Getty Images
In this image, a woman blows a whistle while lowering her protective face mask and standing outside, where others do the same around her
A woman holds a whistle to her mouth, while others at a vigil for Li in Hong Kong do the same. Photo: Anthony Kwan/Getty Images
A man bows while standing in front of flowers at Li's memorial at the front doors to his hospital
A man bows at Li's memorial at his hospital in Wuhan. Photo: Feature China/Barcroft Media via Getty Images
In this image, people with protective face masks stand next to a photo of Dr. Li and a sign that says "Mourning Dr. Li"
The Hong Kong vigil on Friday. Photo: Anthony Kwan/Getty Images
In this image, a sign reads "Mourning Dr. Li Wenliang" and a photo of him stands among flowers
The vigil in Hong Kong on Friday. Photo: Anthony Kwan/Getty Images
This is a sign that reads "To Dr. Li the hero," nestled in flowers
Flowers at Friday's vigil in Wuhan. Photo: Stringer/Getty Images
In this image, a man wearing a protective face masks carries a rose at the vigil at night
A man carries a flower at Friday's vigil in Hong Kong. Photo: Anthony Wallace/AFP via Getty Images
A woman cries at the vigil, wearing a coat and a protective face mask
A woman grieves at Friday's vigil in Wuhan. Photo: Feature China/Barcroft Media via Getty Images
In this image, a person holds a bag while looking at the flowers outside the Wuhan hospital
Flowers are adjusted at Frida's vigil in Wuhan. Photo: Getty Images/Stringer

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