So what are the positives surrounding the Covid19 coronavirus?

Wibbs wrote: »

Hopefully or at least more "local" manufacturing of medical equipment and drugs. And hopefully world attention and pointing of fingers at cultures in Asia(not just China) that insist on having open air food markets with wild animals in appalling conditions. Damn near every flu and "bug" that springs up on the regular originates there because of that set up. Such practices are literally virus making factories. I can understand it in some parts of Africa where people are dirt poor and bush meat is a survival thing, but east Asia has few excuses on that score. It's generally the older generations and more local primitive cultures around food, but it needs to stop and in China at least the young are asking WTF about these retarded practices.

While I agree with most of what you said, you'll find large parts of China which are easily as poor as many places in Africa which practice the wet markets. People tend to look at the Tier 1 or 2 cities in China, and think of all the advancements and wealth available... but the countryside is still very different, and wouldn't be too different from when Mao was a kid. Even in the cities, once you step away into the suburbs, you'll find people living well below the poverty line, which is why restaurants for dog are still around (apart from those who eat it for traditional reasons)

The virus is a good thing because the exotic meat trade is under serious examination by all levels of Chinese society. SARS didn't really scare the Chinese much, and behaviors regarding hygiene didn't change. I'm expecting to see far more emphasis (both official and unofficial) on personal hygiene, and habits which are outright unhealthy. Which is fantastic, since it's one of my major gripes with living there.

I know the thread said positive things, but depending on your pov this could be either. As a result of the virus and the attitude of foreigners (non-Chinese) I'm getting reports of massive anti-foreigner sentiment. It used to be there well in the background, but it seems to have grown in a major way. The PRC attempt to bring in easier access for foreigners to get residency visas was shot down by the public, which generally doesn't happen. So, we could be seeing China turn isolationist, which will likely please a lot of posters here on boards. I wouldn't, personally, see it as a positive, since progressive movements in China needed foreign help to spread among the public there through the impact of western culture and ideals. An Isolationist China wouldn't be good for Asia, since it just encourages an echo chamber for their needs, rather than being aware of the consequences for what they do... A serious weakness to Chinese culture.

As for here, I'm hoping that the experience of the virus will encourage more investment in disease research. It remains one of the most dangerous ways for a species wide wipe, and needs real investment now, rather than waiting until a disease appears.