The problem is extremely serious, to the point that last year Denmark ordered thousands of mink to be killed and buried in shallow graves to halt the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Mink are so prone to developing COVID-19 infections that outbreaks have repeatedly disproportionately cropped up in areas with mink farms. There are many reasons to ban mink farms strictly from the perspective of animal rights, but a new reason has incentivize that movement: The COVID-19 pandemic.įor biological reasons, the novel coronavirus is particularly prevalent among mink, as mink and other mustelidae such as ferrets are notorious for unwittingly serving as virus mutation factories. The organization, a non-profit that tries to change how businesses behave in order to create a humane economic order, is supporting a recently-proposed bill that would ban mink farms in Oregon. Though she was to be killed for her fur ultimately, he did not want her life to end in the way that it did.īeckstead is now the director of campaigns for animal wellness action at the Center for a Humane Economy. Beckstead was struck by the fact that his grandfather was genuinely upset at how that mink died. His grandfather "cursed" when he saw that "the sapphires are so fragile," he rued. She had watched what was happening to the mink next to her. I think, honestly, the only explanation is that she died of sheer terror." There is no doubt that she was terrified. "The foreman pulled out this sapphire female, and she struggled and she screamed," Beckstead told Salon, describing an incident occurred in one of the last year that he visited his grandfather's southern Idaho mink farm. "Then she went limp. Beckstead describes his grandfather as a "kind, wonderful, generous man" who "sincerely tried to give his animals the best life he could." That said, Beckstead recalled sadly, "there are some realities about mink farming that are just unavoidable." She was a beautiful female with a bluish shade to her coat - they're known as "sapphires" in the mink industry - and he was at a mink farm owned by his grandfather.
In some provinces and municipalities across the country, masks or face coverings are now mandatory in indoor public spaces.įor full COVID-19 coverage from Global News, click here.Scott Beckstead remembers the mink that died from terror. In situations where you can’t keep a safe distance from others, public health officials recommend the use of a non-medical face mask or covering to prevent spreading the respiratory droplets that can carry the virus. They also recommend minimizing contact with others, staying home as much as possible and maintaining a distance of two metres from other people if you go out. To prevent the virus from spreading, experts recommend frequent handwashing and coughing into your sleeve. If you develop symptoms, contact public health authorities.
People most at risk of this include older adults and people with severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease. Some people can develop a more severe illness. Symptoms can include fever, cough and difficulty breathing - very similar to a cold or flu.
Questions about COVID-19? Here are some things you need to know: