China SARS fighter returns to spotlight in coronavirus battle
Zhong Nanshan, an 83-year-old doctor who became a household name 17 years ago for “daring to speak” in the fight against SARS, is the public face of China’s effort to control a new strain of coronavirus.
Despite his advanced age, Zhong was appointed to lead the investigation into the new virus, which has rattled millions of Chinese who are traveling for the week-long Lunar New Year holiday. His announcement on Monday that the virus could spread between humans ratcheted up worries about the outbreak, after which Beijing has warned officials of public shame if they cover up any infections.
That marks a departure from 2003, when in an atmosphere of fear and suspicion, Zhong, a respiratory diseases specialist, gave media his candid, pessimistic assessment of the severity of the SARS crisis.
Zhong was hailed for his integrity and has remained a public figure ever since, weighing in on public health issues such as air pollution and food safety.
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