Unlike in some parts in the world it is good to see that nice scientific attitude is in action in Hong Kong:
https://apnews.com/article/hong-kong-covid-hamsters-animals-75f2d3507bdb8255cd2aee79e962fc35
I have so many questions about this article.
1. "The pet shop employee tested positive for the delta variant on Monday, and several hamsters imported from the Netherlands at the store tested positive as well."
The Netherlands is sending weaponized hamsters to Hong Kong? Which leads me to...
2. "...several hamsters imported from the Netherlands..."
The Netherlands exports hamsters? Is there not a hamster breeder in all of Hong Kong? Sounds like a good business opportunity.
3. "Hong Kong authorities said Tuesday that they will kill about 2,000 small animals, including hamsters, after several tested positive for the coronavirus at a pet store where an employee was also infected."
Why would you test a hamster for covid in the first place? Are they testing all animals?
4. "Customers who purchased hamsters from the store after Jan. 7 will be traced and be subject to mandatory quarantine and must hand over their hamsters to authorities to be put down, officials said."
Pet stores in Hong Kong keep a registry of everyone that buys a hamster?
5. "Leung Siu-fai, director of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, said during a news conference that owners should keep hamsters at home, and not take them out."
People in Hong Kong take their hamsters out for a walk?
6. "They said all pet stores in Hong Kong must stop selling hamsters and that about 2,000 small mammals, including hamsters and chinchillas, will be killed in a humane manner."
Why would they not simply quarantine the animals instead of killing them? Did they test all of the hamsters to be killed or is this a case of hamster discrimination?
I don't find much about this situation scientific at all. It seems mostly about fear and irrationality.