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Only after watching a short but interesting documentary on youtube about wet markets in China [1] I understood why they are so interested in keeping that indust

Only after watching a short but interesting documentary on youtube about wet markets in China [1] I understood why they are so interested in keeping that industry operational. It's as bad as it is, but unfortunately wet markets also seem to play a massive economic role in some parts over there, where many people depend on it. I'd sure hope, that the western world would put more pressure on China, but instead it seems we'll be facing even bigger pandemic threats in the future.. [1] https://youtu.be/TPpoJGYlW54 https://youtu.be/TPpoJGYlW54

barnacled 6y ago
“The majority of the people in China do not eat wildlife animals. Those people who consume these wildlife animals are the rich and the powerful –a small minority.” Thanks for that, I viewed that some time ago and found it very informative. I am not sure I'd agree it plays a big economical role, rather it became an alternative outlet for some producers but mostly it appears to be a luxury item for the rich and thus entirely viable for China to ban. I'd have a lot more sympathy if poor people ate such animals to survive (as with a lot of 'bush meat' in Africa) however that isn't the case. China have no excuse for not closing these, at all. Traditional Chinese 'medicine' where they grind down very many animal parts in extremely unclean environments is another big flashpoint. The risk is at the species-extinction level yet the actions by the world and the coverage by journalists is so low. Astonishes me.
decebalus1 6y ago
> It's as bad as it is, but unfortunately wet markets also seem to play a massive economic role in some parts over there, where many people depend on it. Ok, so what? Adapt. Like the rest of the planet did. As an example, Restaurants also play a massive economic role in the western world and pretty much everything involving gatherings of people. Or my grandparents doing their groceries without risking their lives. So we managed to more or less adapt to the new reality. Wet market importance pales in comparison to the changes to the rest of the planet, honestly.

barnacled 6y ago

“The majority of the people in China do not eat wildlife animals. Those people who consume these wildlife animals are the rich and the powerful –a small minority.” Thanks for that, I viewed that some time ago and found it very informative. I am not sure I'd agree it plays a big economical role, rather it became an alternative outlet for some producers but mostly it appears to be a luxury item for the rich and thus entirely viable for China to ban. I'd have a lot more sympathy if poor people ate such animals to survive (as with a lot of 'bush meat' in Africa) however that isn't the case. China have no excuse for not closing these, at all. Traditional Chinese 'medicine' where they grind down very many animal parts in extremely unclean environments is another big flashpoint. The risk is at the species-extinction level yet the actions by the world and the coverage by journalists is so low. Astonishes me.

decebalus1 6y ago

> It's as bad as it is, but unfortunately wet markets also seem to play a massive economic role in some parts over there, where many people depend on it. Ok, so what? Adapt. Like the rest of the planet did. As an example, Restaurants also play a massive economic role in the western world and pretty much everything involving gatherings of people. Or my grandparents doing their groceries without risking their lives. So we managed to more or less adapt to the new reality. Wet market importance pales in comparison to the changes to the rest of the planet, honestly.