COVID-19, or the novel coronavirus, is rattling the globe, leaving people asking themselves: how did we let this happen? The answer begins in Wuhan, China and ends with a massive reconceptualization of our global food system.
Where Did the Virus Come From?
Figuring out the origin of a zoonotic disease is a difficult task, but many believe this virus’s story begins in the capital of Hubei province, Wuhan.
“The consensus among researchers studying the spread of the virus pinpoints COVID-19’s likely origin to a ‘wet market,’” according to USA Today, “or live animal market, in Wuhan, China.”
Let’s be clear, though. COVID-19 is not a Chinese virus — it’s a global virus, and patient zero happened to be from China. More important than the location is the environment in which it “made the jump” to humans. We must remember that a worldwide critique of unsanitary meat markets is not an attack on conventional Chinese culture.
What Is a ‘Wet’ Market and Why Should I Care?
“Wet” markets are simply places in China where perishable goods, such as live fish, meat and wild animals, as well as fresh produce, are sold to the public. This is different from “dry” markets, which are similar to U.S. supermarkets and sell more durable goods.
China’s wildlife trade flourishes in wet markets. Animals, from dogs and cats to fish and birds, are sometimes kept alive and slaughtered on-site for paying customers. Exotic wildlife, including snakes, rats, turtles and pangolins, are forced to live in close proximity, and may carry a variety of unique diseases. In wet markets that sell live animals, blood and other bodily fluids spill all over floors, tables and other surfaces.
This sounds like an animal welfare nightmare, right? Of course. But it’s also a human health crisis. A number of deadly diseases have been linked to the meat and dairy industries, especially those that resort to close-quarter animal abuse and massacre.
Understanding the Scope of the Problem
Can’t we just shut down these disease-ridden wet markets to avoid future pandemics? Unfortunately, no. While banning live animal trade is an important step to ensuring global health crises happen less frequently, the scope of the problem is far more pervasive and complex.
COVID-19 is hardly the first pandemic to arise from poor animal welfare standards. In fact, it isn’t even the first in the last 20 years.
In 2009, H1N1, more commonly known as swine flu, killed anywhere from 150,000 to 575,000 people globally with over 60 million cases in the United States alone, according to CDC estimates. Where did this virus come from? Most likely, factory farms, where it would’ve jumped from pigs to humans.
H7N9, more commonly known as bird flu, is another zoonotic virus that has killed over 600 people since 2013. Though not a pandemic, avian influenza has been a constant threat to human health over the past few years, as chickens are continually forced to live in tight quarters for their eggs and meat. How tight? Nearly 70 billion chickens are slaughtered per year, according to the United Nations.
But Wait, There’s More…
Viruses are bad enough, but bacterial infections threaten us, too — and frequent misuse of antibiotics is making them smarter and stronger. According to a recent U.N. report, over 10 million people could die annually as a result of antibiotic-resistant bacteria by 2050.
That’s a terrifying statistic, but what does it have to do with our food system? The FDA allows farmers to give their animals antibiotics as a “disease prevention” method, which creates a potentially catastrophic situation for actual disease prevention. Each time infectious diseases like tuberculosis, MRSA and malaria are introduced to antibiotics, the diseases become more resistant to medications we commonly use to treat them.
“America’s livestock farmers use more antibiotics per pound of meat produced than any other country in the world, and upwards of 60 percent of these drugs treat bacteria that affect humans,” writes Alex Schwartz of Popular Science. “This practice is especially popular in Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) [or factory farms], in which too many animals are crammed into small spaces, increasing the risk for the spread of infection.”
Hope for the Future
If you’re horrified, you should be. Fixing this problem won’t be easy, and must involve a complete reconceptualization of our global food system. But it is possible.
Currently, billions of animals are crowded into relatively small factory farm processing centers and slaughtered by workers who are required to come into contact with animal fluids. As demand for meat increases, so will the risk of pandemics. In fact, agricultural intensification and land-use change are responsible for over 50 percent of emerging diseases, according to a report published in Nature Sustainability in 2019.
Thankfully, companies like Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods are making it easier for consumers to satisfy their cravings for hamburgers without harming any animals. In the coming years, cell-grown meats could replace animal-based versions. Dairy-free cheeses, milks, yogurts and more are also hitting grocery store shelves at an unprecedented rate. And the fewer animals the world jam-packs into disease-ridden slaughtering centers, the lower our risk of zoonotic diseases spreading.
Our collective and individual actions over the next fews years will be crucial to ensuring the world becomes a more compassionate and safer place. This is about far more than an isolated incident at a Wuhan seafood market. Our entire global food system is broken and in desperate need of change. Join the plant-based revolution. Millions of lives could depend on it.

I couldn’t even watch half of this, because I’ve seen a lot of it before and it makes me feel unwell.
humans are the problem on this planet so treat animals with respect they do not create wars or religeon wars no global warming and a whole lot more
All the more reasons we become a Vege Patch which is healthy or more healthier if we grow our own food without chemicals.
At this rate cannibalism will be the order of the day. Leave animals alone or what’s left of them,
Dog Bless. [email protected]
it is now time to be vegans. We cant hold this poor innocent animals in slavery anymore, and continue this terrible cruel abuse. The world dont take it anymore. We only take advantage of all animals, both the captured ones, and the socalled free.
The hole society must change its thinking. The governments must teach the right things, not do what they are currently doing, and have done for many years now. Even prisons in the US, have been build near by a slaghterhouse, or is it the other way around? The prisoners is forced to take a job , which is killing animals. This is not right. What about the ones who cant do it? i bet they are many. Or maybe it ll almost be a “fitght”, over who kills most during the day? Or who can make them screem loudest? its terrible, and it is wrong. Nobody should be forced to kill another living being. They should instead, learn about how to get a job when the time is over. Many things i could say, but its no more space.
Right on Such a backward way of life to slaughter animals. They could grow meat from animal cells without
killing the animal.
I believe that is why God is destroying the country’s with the animal sacrifices they are doing and he is showing them who is boss
If I could I would donate everything I have to save them I would even die for them
I believe that is why God is destroying the country’s with the animal sacrifices they are doing and he is showing them who is boss
If I could I would donate everything I have to save them I would even die for them
Agree Mother Earth went to Mother Nature and complained about how people killing animals was destroying the earth so Mother Nature released the virus to undo the horror of animal slaughter
Agree Mother Earth went to Mother Nature and complained about how people killing animals was destroying the earth so Mother Nature released the virus to undo the horror of animal slaughter
No Lab-grown meat. Cruelty to animals needs to be stopped to the best of our ability ( as long as time lasts there will always be evil) Proverbs 12:10 says, “The godly care for their animals but the wicked are always cruel”. However, God also gave Peter a vision that showed him many different animals that had been prohibited by Jewish law; God told Peter to kill and eat.
That vision was also meant to show Peter that he must spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to Gentiles. In doing so, he would need to eat gentile food. The grace God gave us in Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins and resurrection from death made this possible.
God wants us to be good stewards of the earth and all that is in it; including our own bodies. There should be reform of some kind in our meat production but I don’t think we can improve on what God has already provided us.
In response to the article regarding Factory Farms and the conditions for which animals are subjected to suffer through and the slaughtering of millions of animals deemed livestock and the potential for more viruses to go from animals to humans ….
Perhaps this is a wake up call that will be taken seriously and force humans to find alternative food sources and will expose the horrific barbaric treatment of any animal deemed livestock and is born into a life of suffering and ultimately killed, a death sentence simply because we do not see their life as being anything other than a food source.
Who are we as a Species to pass judgement on another species and get to say that this animals life has no meaning other than a product that we eat?
The majority of people do not understand that their ‘chicken or ham or steak’ dinner came from an animal that had been treated inhumanely or that the animals have any feelings or intelligence or a comprehension of their own existence, but just because we don’t value them in this way does mean they DONT UNDERSTAND AND THEY DON’T HAVE FEELINGS OR A COMPREHENSION OF THEIR EXISTENCE!
We view the Chinese practice of eating dogs and cats as a barbaric, sickening and disgusting thing and pass judgement on them, but did you ever consider what if your pet dog or cat was merely a product and they were considered livestock? Just because we look at them as companion animals their lives are valuable and we love and care for them dearly. Then why can’t we look at a cow or chicken or pig in the same way? Until we value ALL animals lives as having the right to an existence, then we as a Species deserve whatever happens to us as a result of this decision.
You say it so very well. You are a wise and kind person and I so hope things evolve into a more compassionate world
Isn’t that our prayer? Kindness for humans, and responsible mercy for all of God’s creatures… the animals of the earth including livestock.
I have been vegetarian for 35 years with 8 being VEGAN. Meat eaters tend to be accepting of my explanation that it is for “health reasons.” However, when including “animal cruelty” as a reason, they often get annoyed and defensive. VEGANISM is a process. There are many plant based sources of proteins and other healthy nutrients including antivirals, antibacterials, antiseptics, and immunity boosters. As a matter of maturation in food choices, I determined that eating the flesh of other animals was disgusting and not acceptable for me. I am tolerant and accepting of others who choose to eat both plants and animals. I am fortunate that it was an easy choice for me and realize that it may be difficult a choice for others. It is a choice and requires a study of alternative food choices to stay healthy.
It may sound horrible but as an environmental microbiologist I hope CV19 pandemic provides a wake-up call for the people of the world; it could have been prevented. Despite smaller, regional zoonotic disease outbreaks we continued to ignore global warming and chip away at animal habitat, its time to wake up
Mercy is a mindset. All creation and creatures will need mercies at some time or another.
Lorraine
These countries and both continents that being Africa+Asia make me wanna vomit+cry every day. The culture in both continents is beyond repulsive. They eat anything+everything that moves 4 gods sake. No compassion whatsoever. Just appalling. Everything goes on the their plates. Just PUTRID.
Lady Freethinker YOU do one heck of a WONDERFUL service
Lady Freethinker YOU do one heck of a WONDERFUL service
Covid-19 could be karma for the animal kindom and the horrific way the human race has treated billions of creatutes over the centuries.
RIGHT ON ! ! ! ! !
I will not donate 516.48. I donated 5.00 five dollars
I donated 5.00 to you. You took out 516.48. I want you to cancel. I’m disabled
Ban slaughterhouses in the US
I am bawling. My heart hurts so much for the animals that live in torture, just so humans can eat them. I personally am not a full vegetarian, but stopped eating pork of any kind a year ago. And why, does any person need to eat dogs or cats??? Stupid.
Why not just become vegan
Until our society recognizes our relationship with animals and treats them humanly our world will continue on a downward spiral with disease becoming more prevalent and humans will pay the price
Until our society recognizes our relationship with animals and treats them humanly our world will continue on a downward spiral with disease becoming more prevalent and humans will pay the price
Thank you for bringing to light what goes on often in the dark. Many people choose to close their eyes to the suffering of animals; however, even if you do not care what happens to these innocent souls, you should care what the effects of eating these animals will have on you and your loved ones. Abusing animals should never be okay,
INHUMANE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!’!!!!!
HORRIFIC & BARBARIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think its sick feeding zoo animals to other animals it must not happen.The wet market is full of diseases which is very unsanitary.Wuhan markets are in the mid evil times these people do not belong in today’s society.I feel for the animals especially the dogs cats pigs etc. Its a crying shame that animals who are Gods creations have to die for human consumption
.
I think its sick feeding zoo animals to other animals it must not happen.The wet market is full of diseases which is very unsanitary.Wuhan markets are in the mid evil times these people do not belong in today’s society.I feel for the animals especially the dogs cats pigs etc. Its a crying shame that animals who are Gods creations have to die for human consumption
.
STOP TORTURING AND KILLING INNOCENT ANIMALS. YOUR EVIL KARMA IS KILLING THE WORLD. PLANT BASED DIETS IS THE WAY TO GO. EVOLVE.
EVERYONE SHOULD VISIT A SLAUGHTER HOUSE , THE WORLD WOULD GO VEGAN THEN. WELL, 99% WOULD .
Stop horrors
This has always been a pandemic just waiting to happen, now it is here, we must learn from it and put the brakes on meat production to halt anymore diseases. Farmers producing meat have got away with it for too long and now it needs to stop to save mankind.
Please increase animal welfare and sanitation regulations. Living beings should not live like this and also creates a bigger problem down the line. So it’s awful for the animals suffering and the aftermath is catastrophic.
Nicole: why not just go Vegan less animals have to suffer
I think people will find this article interesting. China has trace covid19 back to November 2019 but they think the first one may have been way before.
1st known case of coronavirus traced back to November in China
https://www.livescience.com/first-case-coronavirus-found.html
Also I found a picture from NASA that showed high heat and high sulfur counts from all the burning bodies in Wuhan but the internet deemed it a hoax. But China knew the bodies we dangerous and did in fact burn them. And we should burn them too and not bury them. Floods happen and this virus is dangerous.
The bodies of COVID-19 victims may be contagious, coroner’s case reveals
https://www.livescience.com/covid-19-corpses-contagious.html?utm_source=Selligent&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=16722&utm_content=20200416_Coronavirus_Infographic+&utm_term=4435002&m_i=8UY_pV2SK8VTmYo2xR4_InRApP4Ozk%2BhyB8z6DTjiowBx8IMAC3i7654GLNeudQDD6YbN0mzvzUvsaLJOWU39aBYc4_kDp
I became a vegan when I saw horrid videos of animal torture in factory farms and the hellish slaughterhouses. And I want to save what left of the goodness on this earth for my children and my grandchildren…it is worth the fight.
You made a WONDERFUL decision and I know your children and grandchildren will be grateful
We humans need to stop making short sighted decisions about our food supply. Fast track agriculture to feed populations quickly & provide fast mega-profits to the detriment of livestock health &, in turn, human health are irresponsible & stupid. We need to eat further down the food chain & dispense with wet markets that produce nightmarish side effects in terms of viruses & super bacteria. I have reservations about the Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods because some of these products contain MSG, sometimes hidden in legal corporate speak by calling it hydrolyzed vegetable protein, or any number of different terms to conceal its true identities to the buying public. See https://truthinlabeling.org for how MSG is not regulated by the FDA.
Love that word reconceptualization. This id sn interesting article.