Letters: As monkeypox rises, we can avert the next global pandemic by treating animals better

Snatching animals from their pure properties, confining them to filthy cages in unnaturally shut proximity at markets or on farms, and consuming them, will result in extra zoonotic ailments like monkeypox, with unpredictable mutations and probably lethal outcomes.

Monkeypox was first seen exterior Africa in 2003, when it unfold to people from unique animals exported to be stored as pets. It can be caught by consuming animals contaminated with the virus.

Round three-quarters of recently-emerged infectious ailments in people, together with SARS, swine flu, and Covid-19, have been transferred from different species.

People should act quick to forestall the following pandemic – which might carry extra loss of life, illness, and disruption to our each day lives – and we will begin by leaving animals in peace.

It’s time all of us performed our half in transferring in direction of a safer future by consuming solely wholesome and nutritious plant-based meals.

Jennifer White, Media and Communications Supervisor, PETA Basis, London.

PAYING THE PENALTY IN SEVILLE

THE outcomes of the latest FA Cup Remaining between Liverpool and Chelsea, and Rangers’ journey to Seville, are the newest demonstrations of the manifestly unfair and inappropriate technique of deciding matches, launched on the behest of those that now management soccer world-wide – the tv corporations, with the intention to swimsuit programme scheduling.

Penalty shoot-outs are precisely described as lotteries: in different phrases, actions whose end result is totally depending on luck or likelihood. They bear no relation in any respect to what has transpired throughout the earlier 120 minutes.

In days of yore, when soccer was run for the supporters, drawn main matches have been replayed till a outcome was achieved.

One other methodology sometimes employed to determine the winner was merely to toss a coin on the finish of a drawn recreation –

a technique which, not like the penalty shoot-out, didn’t faux to be something aside from the results of pure likelihood.

Within the absence of any decision of matches by a way which relates on to the foregoing proceedings, logic would counsel that they be deserted and outcomes be determined by penalty shoot-outs of no matter period.

Duncan Macintyre, Greenock.

COSTS OF REPORTING FROM SPAIN

HOW a lot did it value BBC licence-fee payers to ship three reporters (two of whom are usually not recognised as sports activities reporters) and their entourage of producers, cameramen, sound engineers and make-up assistants to Seville for a three-minute slot on the Europa League closing on BBC Scotland’s information programme?

What makes it laughable is that none of them have been contained in the stadium the place the match was going down.

Who in senior administration thought it was a great way to waste cash at a time when the broadcaster is regularly complaining a few lack of money to spend on programmes?

Alan McGibbon, Paisley.

WELL DONE, RANGERS

THOUGH not a Rangers fan I believe it essential that they obtain widespread reward for his or her feat in reaching a European closing.

Alongside the way in which they defeated a number of sturdy outfits from throughout the Continent, they usually put up a superb show within the closing itself.

I believe that in doing in order that they raised the profile of the home Scottish recreation. It was about time that our main golf equipment had a critical tilt at European silverware.

I’ve grown uninterested in listening to and studying about English pundits – former footballers and so-called ‘high quality broadsheet’ journalists alike – lazily dismissing the standard of the Scottish recreation, ignoring the gross disparity in TV broadcast income between England and Scotland.

Sure, Celtic and Rangers dominate the topmost league right here, however the European performances by Rangers in latest months and the decided shows by our nationwide group give me – and, I hope, many different Scottish supporters – hope fo the long run.

S. Grey, Glasgow.

IN PRAISE OF DIVERSITY

I JOIN Sarah MacIntyre in applauding Thelma Edward’s declaration that “we’re not all the identical” (letters, Could 16 and18).

It’s maybe price noting that The Herald diarist and smart homespun thinker, Lorne Jackson, included my contribution firstly of 2021 that whereas I’m a person and a few are eccentrics, there are others who’re off their bloody heads. I relaxation my case. Range guidelines. Okay?

R Russell Smith, Largs.

LAWRENCE, THE PRINCE OF MUCK

MAXWELL MacLeod’s obituary of Lawrence MacEwen (“Lawrence MacEwen, laird who grew to become well-known because the ‘Prince of Muck’”, HeraldScotland, Could 18) certainly summed him up completely.

Lawrence’s tall, Viking-like presence and that prepared smile was how we discovered him once I was filming with Tom Weir on the Island.

He met us off the ferry at Port Mor with the tractor and trailer to hold all of the digicam tools and baggage and an we walked to the just lately constructed resort on the Harbour.

He was a most beneficiant host along with his time. I can testify to his coverage of interviewing every potential resident. He had marketed for a boatman and throughout the interview requested whether or not the candidate was married.

“No” replied the candidate “however joyful to take action if that will get me the job” That candidate instantly went to his girlfriend and introduced not solely that they have been transferring to Muck, however that they have been getting married.

It was a privilege to have met Lawrence, certainly one of nature’s Gents, even for the brief time we have been there, however these reminiscences linger lengthy. My ideas go to his spouse Jenny and their kids. RIP Lawrence.

Dermot McQuarrie, Pompano Seashore, Florida.