Following the 2002-2004 SARS outbreak, health experts have long been warning that China’s wildlife markets would eventually lead to yet another outbreak. But this did not stop the Chinese government from subsequently lifting the ban on wildlife trade.

The global health crisis we are currently facing is not a hazardous work of nature, it is by all means a predicted result of man’s greed, taking into account that the consumption of wildlife animals is limited to the wealthy elite as opposed to the entire Chinese population.

In light of this documented series of tragic developments, it is the responsibility of world leaders today to ensure the safety of what is left of humanity by pressuring the Chinese government into adopting stricter bans on wildlife trade in the country.

Some governments just need to understand that the world is not theirs alone but rather a shared place of residence for the entire human race. They need to be made aware of the large-scale repercussions some of their legislations can have on everyone else on the planet.

Once the #COVID19 outbreak is contained, the world needs to understand that it cannot continue to operate as disconnected entities but must rather find efficient mechanisms to reinforce international collaboration on critical global issues such as health and the environment.