Virus wasn't from veggies

A pandemic may be an unwelcome time to look for a silver lining, but it's there.

The environment is getting a welcome respite from human activities. 

While in virtual solitary confinement, people have had time to realize that we live on a small planet where economies are interdependent and, until three months ago, international travel was popular.  That is why coronavirus has been able to hitch a ride to other countries from its birth in a meat market in China in December 2019. 

Human population is approaching 8 billion, and more than 150 billion animals a year are slaughtered to feed humans.  Although details of factory farmed animals are easily available online, perhaps only vegetarians and vegans have taken the time to educate themselves about the conditions farm animals endure from birth until death.   

In countries where practising sanitation and social distancing is possible, people may be confident that the economy will recover when the pandemic is over. To return to business as usual in animal agriculture, will be to invite another virus to make a home anywhere that large ponds of animal manure are stored. 

At this time, hand-washing and social distancing may eventually "flatten the curve" of the coronavirus spread, but if we want to return to a healthy economy and resume social activities, it would be prudent to reduce or even eliminate our dependence on animals in factory farms and slaughterhouses. 

None of the viruses which have killed humans in the past, as well as animals raised in intensive operations, have sprung up from a vegetable patch.  That's something to consider during the 20-second hand washing time.

Helen Schiele, Kelowna