Batty?

In recent times, the Covid-19 pandemic has, naturally, been the focus of attention. It is well established (although the precise details are unclear) that Sars-CoV-2 is a zoonotic. Zoonotics are diseases (viruses, bacteria etc) making the jump from animal to human hosts. Around 67% of human diseases are zoonotics. Zoonotics also include Ebola, HIV, Influenza, West Nile and Zika. The Preventing Pandemics at Source Coalition record that, the current pandemic has resulted in enormous sums being spent on human health and economic recovery (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/mar/09/inaction-leaves-world-playing-russian-roulette-pandemics-experts). The Coalition note, however, there is no sign of investments to prevent the next pandemic. Halts to deforestation and the illegal trade in wildlife are needed to reduce the chances of new disease agents jumping from animals to humans. The costs, which would be incurred are modest, compared with the bill for the Covid-19 pandemic. Prevention is certainly better (and cheaper?) than a cure.