China’s wet markets have been slammed internationally as Covi-19 roils the world, with the disease having seemingly emerged from stalls selling live game in Wuhan late last year. “There’s no question, we’re doomed this year,” spice seller Yang, who runs a stall at the massive Baishazhou wholesale market, told the Agence France-Presse (AFP). Wet markets are popular venues to buy fresh meat, vegetables and fish across Asia — most selling common, everyday produce to locals at affordable prices. The top medical specialist for the United States government, Anthony Fauci, told Fox News earlier this month that wet markets should be shut down “right away.”The nationalistic state-run Global Times launched a strident defense of China’s wet markets on Tuesday, attacking “preconceived ideas” and “ridiculous requests” to close them. “It’s because of the epidemic — there are still very few people on the streets.”Most Wuhan market sellers who spoke to AFP said they never sold wild animals.

Source: Manila Times April 16, 2020 16:41 UTC