A video of a nurse singing for her patients in Wuhan has gone viral on Chinese social media. The footage showed the nurse in a protective suit and goggles singing Yu opera piece "Lady General Mu Guiying Takes Command," for COVID-19 patients in an isolation ward in Wuhan, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak.
The video reportedly recorded the moment on February 23, 2020, when the nurse performed a piece of Yu opera to celebrate for a patient's recovery and discharge. Despite the absence of a costume or any scores, the classic piece was vividly presented by her resonant yet silvery voice lingering in the isolation ward. Meanwhile, two other patients and another medic were also on hand to witness the joyous moment.
The singer is Li Junshan, a 28-year-old nurse working in the department of general practice medicine in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University in central China's Henan Province. She was among the first batch of medics who came to aid Wuhan against COVID-19. Young as she is, Li boasts nine years of work experience, including five years in the tuberculosis department. She has been fighting on the front line in Wuhan No. 4 Hospital since January 26.
Li Junshan, a 28-year-old nurse, smiles after taking off face mask and goggles after work, in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province. /Chinanews.com
The piece she performed in the isolation ward, according to Li, is the fulfillment of her promise to the patient, an elderly woman who has recovered from critical condition. The patient was reportedly among the first batch to be admitted to the No. 4 Hospital in Wuhan for COVID-19 treatment. For nearly a month, the patient had been treated in the isolation ward, suffering from chest tightness and breath shortness. Hardly did she get out of bed or talk to others.
Noticing her low spirits, Li always said a few words of encouragement to her after daily nursing to cheer her up. Li promised to sing the Yue opera piece for the patient upon her recovery.
Medics from the Henan medical team treat a COVID-19 patient in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province. /Chinanews.com
The day finally came.
"Listen to the Yu opera song performed for me by the hero from Henan Province to celebrate my discharge," the patient said while video calling her family, who expressed gratitude for Li's "parting song" as they waited for the patient to return home.
What the nurse performed is a classic Yu opera piece, which pays tribute to Mu Guiying, a legendary heroine who fought for her country against rebel forces by taking command of the emperor's troops at the age of 53 in ancient China's Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127).
A native of Henan Province, home of the Yu opera, Li has been watching opera TV programs with her grandparents since her childhood.
Li (L) has been fighting COVID-19 on the front line with her colleagues since January, 26, 2020. /Chinanews.com
Unlike "Lady General Mu Guiying," Li had no suitable stage costume for the prompt show. With a full set of protection on, Li's face could not be recognized. But after the video was posted online, Chinese netizens hailed Li and her colleagues as the contemporary versions of "Lady General Mu Guiying."
As a matter of fact, this was not the first time that Li had performed her hometown opera for those infected with the novel coronavirus in an isolation ward. Before this, an elderly male patient also suffering from COVID-19 insisted on leaving the hospital before recovery due to long-time hospitalization. In that case, Li performed two arias of Yu opera and Huangmei opera for the patient, coaxing him into actively receiving medical treatment.
This is Li's first time in Wuhan. Having heard splendid stories about the city many times before, Li said she never thought she would experience it in this way. "When the epidemic finally comes to an end, I would definitely come here again, just for a stroll, since this is the place where I once fought," said Li.