Remember when the COVID-19 mayhem started, how scared we were of eating meat and other domestic fowls? Most of us assumed that the virus might be transmitted from such flesh and thus, refrained from plunging into it. No more chicken sausages and nuggets! Non-vegetarians in the house, we feel your pain.
Although the WHO/FAO has clearly stated that, “Coronavirus is a respiratory infection, and, thus, there is no connection as to how the novel virus can stay on chicken, meat, eggs, seafood and make it unfit for consumption.” But the fear had been instilled, and the public didn’t want to taste the pitfalls of buying poultry at filthy wet markets. Therefore, this misconception was a big blow to the poultry market.
Let’s check some facts and figures.
• The Union animal husbandry ministry says, “Poultry industry suffers Rs. 13,000 crore loss due to COVID-19 pandemic.”
• A member of the Poultry Federation of India claims losses stood at Rs. 22,500 crore for the entire lockdown period.
• Reports show that the novel virus has shaken up local meat markets, with local production down by 40% and prices for white broilers dropping sharply and yellow broilers even further.
Having said that, the market is reviving slowly, BUT, the damage has been done. People no longer “trust” meat.
Hold on.
If there’s anything that sought advantage from this disparity is the vegan bazaar. Chef’s Pencil, a food-focussed media outlet, recently analyzed the number of vegan search terms made around the world and concluded the vegan living is now “twice as popular as it was just five years ago” and that it “doesn’t show any signs of slowing down.”
Let’s use statistics to back up this claim.
• A recent OnePoll survey of 28,000 people in 30 countries indicates that many people have been eating more vegan foods during the pandemic.
• Sales of the versatile soy food soared in the U.K. up by 87% in the month of Jun-July 2020.
• New vegans are sprouting up in the U.S. and currently, there are 9.7 million American vegans, according to Chef’s Pencil.
Seems like veganism is gonna revolutionize the world in the upcoming decade or so. Non-vegetarians in the house, we continue sympathizing with you.
The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India said globally and in India people were beginning to value other forms of food and changing eating habits. Couldn’t disagree, right? The splurge in this change is not only because the philosophy behind veganism, kindness over the killing, is empathetic, but also because vegan foods have NEVER caused a pandemic. It took aeons for people to finally become concerned about animal rights and the environment. Something optimistic about this pandemic, besides the idea of cleanliness and hygiene, after all.
South Africans are hardcore meat lovers and just like them, many see switching to a vegan diet to be particularly difficult. But if we state a few benefits of going vegan, do you mind making a change in your lifestyle then?
There’s a reason why James Cameron and Greta Thunberg have turned vegan. By pledging to go vegan, you not only contribute to the effort to stop the exploitation of animals but also reduce your carbon footprint and prevent diseases. Following a whole food and plant-based diet, you can prevent or even reverse 15 of the major killer diseases, including diabetes and heart diseases. This is explained with facts by Dr Michael Gregor in his famous YouTube video, “Uprooting the leading causes of death.” Do check it out.
If in any way, you conclude that being vegan means simply prohibiting from eating meat, then, well, let’s clear this misnomer.
Veganism is not just about diet and health, it’s a social justice movement for animals. Thus, pledging to go vegan means abstaining from ANY product/by-product derived from animals. So, if you like to adorn yourself with cosmetic, silk, fur, wool which is made from animal skin, then, sorry to admit, you would need to replace it with cruelty-free products. After all, if you are a vegan, you just cannot flaunt your riches by slaughtering innocent animals.
Our aim to choose veganism for this week’s blog is not only to popularize this trend but also to celebrate it. Why not then raise a toast to celebrate the progress of the vegan movement and appreciate the change it promises to bring, along with a bite of Tofu, maybe?
To the one reading this, you have stories to tell, and passions to share, and things to talk about that are more interesting than the news debates. So, if you wish to create your own space and vibe.
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