China’s food markets, wildlife trade and origins of #COVID19: A thread

As a PhD student, I spent countless hours in #China’s wet markets gathering data on consumer behavior and #food safety. Here are a few thoughts: 1/n

Wet markets typically sell fresh meat, fish, produce and other perishables. Historically, animals were killed on-site to ensure freshness and water was used to clean the area. Hence the term “wet market”. They are very different from #wildlife markets 2/n

Reports linking #COVID19 and similar outbreaks to wet markets in China have led to calls for the closing of all wet markets in the country. While some wildlife trade does happen in wet markets, this is far from the norm. Confounding the two can be problematic 3/n

Wet markets have been an integral part of China’s #food system. They are procurement source of food for millions of consumers and an important market link for thousands of smallholder farmers. They are also an important aspect of Chinese society and culture 4/n

In addition to getting food, people gather, socialize and interact with producers at wet markets. Are there problems with wet markets? Yes. Could safety and hygiene be improved at wet markets? Yes. Should they be regulated? Yes. Should they all be closed down? No! 5/n

With regards to #COVID19, the issue seems to be the wildlife trade [note, I not a zoonotic disease expert]. By all means, crack down on the illegal wildlife trade, close down the wildlife markets, but don’t take this out on wet markets n/n