Fighting Corona with the Right Information
The most important cause of the coronavirus — our violent relationship with animals — has barely been addressed so far.
Tier im Fokus (TIF) is launching a hanging card campaign in Bern and Zurich.
The animal rights organisation aims to raise awareness of the link between pandemics and meat consumption.
Campaign on Trams and Buses
For several weeks, trams and buses in the cities of Bern and Zurich will display hanging cards bearing the message «Coronavirus: This is how we prevent future pandemics». Beneath the text is a pinkish blend of virus and sausage imagery. Behind the campaign is the Swiss animal rights organisation Tier im Fokus (TIF).Coronavirus: This is how we prevent future pandemicsThe Swiss animal rights organisation Tier im Fokus (TIF) is behind the campaign.
We need to talk about the link between pandemics and diet. Swine flu, bird flu, and the coronavirus all trace back to meat consumption or are fuelled by it. We are not only breeding animals — we are breeding viruses.
TIF President Tobias Sennhauser
Many viruses have existed in nature for a long time. They only became dangerous due to human destruction of the environment — which happens, among other things, in the name of meat production: forests are cleared to open up new areas for animal feed. This is how we suddenly come into contact with wild animals that carry dangerous viruses. «The growing production of meat is fuelling new pandemics», says Sennhauser.
The Danger of Factory Farming
New pandemics can emerge at any time, even in Switzerland. «We must abolish factory farming to prevent further pandemics», Sennhauser demands. Politicians must curb the danger posed by Swiss livestock facilities. An important step would be the adoption of the Clean Drinking Water Initiative, which would cut agricultural subsidies for factory farming.
The hanging cards are part of a broader public awareness campaign by the animal rights organisation Tier im Fokus (TIF). In addition, their website offers free flyers, brochures, stickers, and posters to order. The materials have attracted enormous interest: «Many people are aware of the pandemic risk posed by factory farming and want to actively take a stand against it», says Sennhauser.
