Some appalling images on social media from the "meat" market where this is supposed to have originated

Live animals being treated appallingly. At risk of doing a Laurence Fox, I've always found the Chinese a very unfriendly and cruel people, so perhaps this is nature's revenge

Originally Posted by: The Beast from the East 

or maybe those who are more vulnerable to infection are those that are mainly infected?

Originally Posted by: westv 

The Chinese eat a lot of animals in a way we wouldn't want to - But there is a very good reason for that - It stems from the famine culture which resulted from a massive famine there in 1959 to 1961.

Details here.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Chinese_Famine

Originally Posted by: Hungry Tiger 

It has parallels with the fondness of some in sub-Saharan African to eat wild animals including monkeys. It is widely believed that a hunter killing a money inflected with Ebola was the starting point for Ebola, for example.

Bats are another major source of viral infections which are capable of making the jump to humans.  There is a case of a tourist touching infected bat drippings whilst on a nature trek and the infection passing through an existing wound.

The bottom line is that close contact with wild animals that carry a wide range of viruses is equivalent to playing a version of Russian Roulette.

Originally Posted by: Gandalf The White 

You're quite right - Also I've just corrected my typos - Getting used to vari focal spectacles.

Originally Posted by: Hungry Tiger 

The Chinese eat a lot of animals in a way we wouldn't want to - But there is a very good reason for that - It stems from the famine culture which resulted from a massive famine there in 1950 to 1061.

Details here.

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Chinese_Famine

Originally Posted by: Hungry Tiger 

I remember when I got varifocals for the first time: I looked down and wondered who's feet they were......

Originally Posted by: Gandalf The White 

Different cultures approach this in different ways, Gavin. Not so long ago many UK households would be able to kill, skin and butcher animals such as rabbits for the pot. Even the family pig. Today many of us would be squeamish about that. As a 6th former I had to kill and skin my own rabbit for dissection. And we pithed our own frogs for dissection. I killed my first steer in an abattoir near Linton not far from you and since then have lost count of beasts I have killed and eaten, hopefully calmly and kindly. ["Who are we eating today?"] But for most people these days that would be bizarre and unacceptable, except possibly with game or fish. But that is how it was.

We also find that in many parts of the world people integrate "farm" animals in the home - quite frequently they live alongside humans - which is where the interaction and mutation of potentially pathogenic viruses takes place. Animals live in the family space - but when the time comes to sell or eat them - then practicalities, sometime brutal-seeming practicalities, take over.  Tough stuff still goes on in the UK, but out of sight, and we pick up packages of neutral-looking meat products, ignoring the realities of animal production, transport, slaughter and butchery.

So the question is who has got the greater tendency for cruelty, those who can face the tasks or those who choose to ignore reality and let someone else do the job, hopefully humanely? I take the view that if I am going to eat something I ought, at least, know what is involved.

R.

Originally Posted by: Roger Parsons 

Different cultures approach this in different ways, Gavin. Not so long ago many UK households would be able to kill, skin and butcher animals such as rabbits for the pot. Even the family pig. Today many of us would be squeamish about that. As a 6th former I had to kill and skin my own rabbit for dissection. And we pithed our own frogs for dissection. I killed my first steer in an abattoir near Linton not far from you and since then have lost count of beasts I have killed and eaten, hopefully calmly and kindly. ["Who are we eating today?"] But for most people these days that would be bizarre and unacceptable, except possibly with game or fish. But that is how it was.

We also find that in many parts of the world people integrate "farm" animals in the home - quite frequently they live alongside humans - which is where the interaction and mutation of potentially pathogenic viruses takes place. Animals live in the family space - but when the time comes to sell or eat them - then practicalities, sometime brutal-seeming practicalities, take over.  Tough stuff still goes on in the UK, but out of sight, and we pick up packages of neutral-looking meat products, ignoring the realities of animal production, transport, slaughter and butchery.

So the question is who has got the greater tendency for cruelty, those who can face the tasks or those who choose to ignore reality and let someone else do the job, hopefully humanely? I take the view that if I am going to eat something I ought, at least, know what is involved.

R.

Originally Posted by: Roger Parsons 

I have often wondered how many more people would give up meat if they had to spend even a few minutes inside an abattoir.  I have sometimes thought that if I was consistent and honest with myself that I should stop eating meat but it's a difficult change to make.  Our half-way house, questionable or not, is to buy only free range meat where possible, reared to high standards. I know that doesn't address what happens once the animal leaves the farm but it's a start.  I think battery farming is barbaric.

Originally Posted by: Gandalf The White 

It's difficult in towns, Gandalf. A village butcher can usually tell you where his meat comes from. We used to buy from butchers who bought animals that had been used for local nature reserve management - Hebridean sheep or long-horn cattle. And pork from a friend who raised his own organic pigs. Now we just go with what the butcher's advises. In our Pacific years I never ate human meat - but for quality I might give a Vegan a try if I ever get the opportunity. The ultimate veganism, perhaps? [Only joking! Butcher's humour.]

R

Originally Posted by: Roger Parsons 

The Chinese eat a lot of animals in a way we wouldn't want to - But there is a very good reason for that - It stems from the famine culture which resulted from a massive famine there in 1959 to 1961.

Originally Posted by: Hungry Tiger 

Also a bit of regional culture, I think. Chinese from the north of the country claim that if it has four legs and it's not a table, the Cantonese will eat it.

On a different tack, an expat living in Wuhan and on the BBC News Channel via Skype was saying not to take too much from newsreels of queues at hospitals. Apparently, as there are no GPs in the Chinese system, anyone who is ill is automatically seen at the hospital or associated clinic. 

Originally Posted by: DEW 

I agree with that, Gandalf. I take mine off to walk downstairs. The only thing they are good for is watching TV and using an i-Pad at the same time! R

Originally Posted by: Roger Parsons 

Not keen on them really.  They have their uses though.   I was doing a course on Python this week  and   they  were essential for the mix of PC work and periodically looking at the  code examples projected on the screen.  I also find them useful   for driving, otherwise it's a  choice  between  seeing where you are going or reading the instruments

Originally Posted by: Bugglesgate 

An entirely new 1000-bed hospital to be built in Wuhan in just 5 days Now there's a 'can-do' attitude!

Originally Posted by: DEW 

Also a bit of regional culture, I think. Chinese from the north of the country claim that if it has four legs and it's not a table, the Cantonese will eat it.

Originally Posted by: DEW 

The government here now need to consider grounding all transports to and from China

Originally Posted by: Heavy Weather 2013 

A doctor treating patients suffering from the new virus has died after catching it.

This has two implications: first, the virus can kill apparently fit and healthy people, which is a concern, and second it suggests possible failings in protective measures being used.

Some experts are suggesting that the Chinese authorities have been too secretive and too slow to step up containment measures. Even now their censors are stamping down on reports in social media - and state-controlled media is playing down coverage.

Overall this remains predominantly a problem for China rather than the world but the underlying issues are a concern: it would appear that the failings when SARS broke out around 15 years ago still remain.

Originally Posted by: Gandalf The White 

Not possible considering how important China is in the global economy. 

Originally Posted by: The Beast from the East 

Good to see you still posting Gandalf 😉! 

Try and keep Singapore nice and predominantly disease free until at least Friday! ;-) 

Originally Posted by: Joe Bloggs