Deadly Wuhan Coronavirus

nivek

As Above So Below
Some push-back from the fur industry?...

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International Fur Federation Statement on Denmark Mink Cull

The Danish government has controversially culled millions of mink from fur farms after a mutated strain of coronavirus was detected in the animals. The cull has now been paused after authorities questioned the legality of such a drastic action. Now, in the US, anti-fur extremists are seizing on this tragedy to call for restrictions on mink farming. Fur Commission USA is releasing the statements below.

Facts

While a handful of farms in the US have detected the COVID-19 virus, there is no evidence to date that any humans have been infected by those mink. The Centers for Disease Control says: "At this time, there is no evidence that animals play a significant role in spreading the virus that causes COVID-19." The CDC notes that people spread the COVID-19 virus to mink, and that mink can spread the virus to other mink. However, "the risk of animals spreading COVID-19 to people is considered to be low," according to the CDC.

Fur Commission is working with industry to develop a vaccine, with testing set to begin shortly. Importantly, the World Health Organization has said new strains of coronavirus are not expected to reduce the effectiveness of vaccines.

Fur farms in the US follow strict biosecurity protocols for the benefit of both humans and animals. Farmers restrict access to the facilities, screen employees daily, use personal protective equipment, practice social distancing for workers, and disinfect the equipment and facilities. Workers can also be segregated so that if an issue is found in one part of the farm, it can be quarantined and the risk of spreading is reduced.

Statements

Fur Commission USA Executive Director Michael Whelan issued the following statement: "Animal welfare is a farmer's entire livelihood. We are taking steps to protect workers and animals from this virus. Animal rights campaigners are now shamelessly trying to exploit a tragic situation to once again push their misguided political agenda."

Respected mink veterinarian Dr. Hugh Hildebrandt "Farms operate under biosecurity protocols in normal circumstances and have heightened their controls during the pandemic. The risk to humans of getting coronavirus from animals, whether farmed animals or pets, is still being closely studied by scientists globally."

More information on farm biosecurity can be found here. A FAQ sheet on mink farms and COVID can be found here.

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AD1184

Celestial
Some push-back from the fur industry?...

...

International Fur Federation Statement on Denmark Mink Cull

The Danish government has controversially culled millions of mink from fur farms after a mutated strain of coronavirus was detected in the animals. The cull has now been paused after authorities questioned the legality of such a drastic action. Now, in the US, anti-fur extremists are seizing on this tragedy to call for restrictions on mink farming. Fur Commission USA is releasing the statements below.
Is being against fur farming an extremist position? The practice has been illegal in Britain for two decades. The global fur market currently exists largely to serve the consumer tastes of China, due to the social unacceptability of fur products in the west. It is rather like saying being against Chinese wildlife markets is an extremist position.

While a handful of farms in the US have detected the COVID-19 virus, there is no evidence to date that any humans have been infected by those mink.
This is bordering on desperation in terms of an argument. The fact that mink have been harbouring SARS-CoV-2 demonstrates a significant risk. The jump back to humans has been demonstrated in other parts of the world. The idea is that you do not wait until after something has already happened before you prevent it, because that isn't prevention. Instead, you act before it happens. This pandemic has demonstrated that reactive measures come too late. You must be proactive.

One instance of species transition back to humans could be all it takes. The gathering of evidence can also be a time consuming activity. Having it the fur farmers' way could do untold economic damage to the world and cost many lives.
 

August

Metanoia
Trump just on tv stating N0 More Lockdowns under his watch.
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August

Metanoia
We did 2 weeks of lockdown but not now and no masks either as we are Covid free at the moment but still retain 1.5 meter's social distancing and hand sanitizing wherever you go. .
 

nivek

As Above So Below
I'm really on the fence about this, I don't like reading political garbage in these threads however, what's been posted does pertain to covid, so perhaps let's keep it to a minimum?...I really don't want to continually read about Trump in other threads that have nothing to do with politics...

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AD1184

Celestial
I'm really on the fence about this, I don't like reading political garbage in these threads however, what's been posted does pertain to covid, so perhaps let's keep it to a minimum?...I really don't want to continually read about Trump in other threads that have nothing to do with politics.
I would disagree and say that the Covid pandemic is one of the most important political issues of the moment.
 

nivek

As Above So Below
I would disagree and say that the Covid pandemic is one of the most important political issues of the moment.

Agreed, it should be a top political issue but not one that needs politicized as it has been done by politicians in the US government...

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nivek

As Above So Below
Agreed, it should be a top political issue but not one that needs politicized as it has been done by politicians in the US government...

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I guess that's where it rubs me wrong, when the pandemic gets used as a political tool...

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nivek

As Above So Below
That was fast...

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Potential COVID-19 vaccine works against mutant mink strain in early trials

Scientists in Denmark are developing a potential coronavirus vaccine that has so far proven effective against a mutant virus strain linked to minks. COVID-19 outbreaks have ravaged Danish mink farms, one of the world’s largest producers of mink fur, since the summer.

And last week, officials in the Nordic country announced a plan to cull its entire herd of up to 17 million mink after the furry creatures were found to have a coronavirus mutation that was spreading to humans.

Early studies of the virus mutation, known as Cluster 5, showed the bug to have a reduced sensitivity towards antibodies, possibly hampering the efficacy of future vaccines.

However, antibodies from rabbits treated with an early-stage vaccine candidate from Denmark’s State Serum Institute proved effective on the Cluster 5 mutation, according to Anders Fomsgaard, a leading scientist at the institute.

“We couldn’t resist testing the rabbit antibodies we have against Cluster 5, and it works,” Fomsgaard told Danish broadcaster DR on Thursday.

The vaccine candidate is still in the early stages of development and will soon move to human trials. “Whether this also applies to other vaccines and whether it applies to human antibodies, we do not know,” Fomsgaard said.

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nivek

As Above So Below
Thousands pour into Fair Park for North Texas Food Bank’s largest distribution yet during pandemic

With the crisis continuing to inflict hunger across the region, Saturday’s event was geared toward Thanksgiving, providing turkeys and other holiday staples to some 8,500 families.

Thousands of families — including some who waited nearly 12 hours — turned out Saturday at the usually empty grounds of Fair Park for the North Texas Food Bank’s fifth and largest mega-distribution of food during the coronavirus pandemic.

Since the pandemic’s start in March, the NTFB has held several such events at Fair Park and helped put on many smaller events to alleviate the hunger and financial stress many families have faced.

During Saturday’s Thanksgiving-themed distribution, organized with help from such food bank partners as Fair Park First, Spectra and other groups, the agency handed out food to some 8,500 families. Before the pandemic, holiday giveaways would typically serve about 500 families.

(More on the link)

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nivek

As Above So Below
COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. are averaging more than 1,000 a day for seven days - a jump of 50 percent from just a month ago

(Excerpt)

New cases nationwide rose on Friday to a daily record of over 177,000, the fourth straight day an all-time high was set, according to a Reuters tally of figures from U.S. public health agencies.

The surge is straining many state health care systems as the number of COVID-19 patients in U.S. hospitals rose to an all-time high 68,141 on Friday. Some governors, including Iowa Republican Kim Reynolds, warned this week that their hospitals were nearing capacity.

(More on the link)

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