Paul McCartney, who’s been one of the most famous vegans/animal rights activists for decades, did not hold back when asked about China’s wet markets in a recent interview.
Sir Paul said of the markets, which sell various fresh meats including from wild/exotic animals, “I really hope that this will mean the Chinese government says, ‘OK, guys, we have really got to get super hygienic around here.’ Let’s face it, it is a little bit medieval eating bats…”
He continued, “It’s not a stupid idea, it is a very good idea. They don’t need all the people dying. And what’s it for? All these medieval practices. They just need to clean up their act. This may lead to it. If this doesn’t, I don’t know what will…They might as well be letting off atomic bombs, because it’s affecting the whole world. Whoever is responsible for this is at war with the world and itself.”
Per National Geographic, the COVID-19 global pandemic is believed to have originated from Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market, a wet market in Wuhan, China, but COVID-19’s origins have yet to be officially confirmed. While these wet markets are often part of a community’s culture and economy, McCartney still stood firm in his desire to see them closed saying, “They did slavery forever too, but you have to change things at some point.”
Macca’s recent interview wasn’t all about the coronavirus pandemic, though, and there was some levity. The long-debated “Beatles vs. The Rolling Stones” topic was brought up, and while McCartney believes The Beatles were better than The Rolling Stones, he noted, “The Stones are a fantastic group, I go and see them every time they come out. they’re a great, great band. I love them…Keith [Richards] once said to me, ‘You’re lucky, man, you have four singers in your band. We only have one.'”
GALLERY: Classic Beatles-Era Photos of Paul McCartney
