Abstract: The great spirit of "people's life first, national solidarity, sacrifice, respecting science, and a sense of mission for humanity" has solid historical materialism grounds and rich historical materialism implications. The spirit of "people's life first" is the embodiment of adhering to the people-centered principle. The spirit of "national solidarity" is the fruit of the principle that the economic foundation determines the superstructure and the Marxist theory of social and historical forces. The spirit of "sacrifice" is an evidence of the necessary ideological and cultural conditions on which the people create history, and of strong dynamic reaction of social consciousness to social existence. The spirit of "respecting science" is the theoretical essence and methodological requirements of seeking truth from facts, and the proof that science and technology are an important driving force for social development. The spirit of "sense of mission for humanity" is a vivid display of Marxist theory of world history and the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind. Practicing the great spirit of combating the COVID-19 epidemic is of great significance to China and the world.

Key words: spirit of combating the COVID-19 epidemic, historical materialism, Chinese spirit, epidemic prevention and control, people's lives first