Coronavirus and Mink

Coronavirus has been greatly impacting the mink industry around the globe. Towards the beginning of the month there was news out of Denmark that caused concern and there are now other areas who have been impacted. We encourage you to read the linked pages and articles below. We have provided discussion points to encourage further discussion with others around the globe.

WHO Release - Denmark - November 6th

Video on Denmark Mink and Coronavirus

Coronavirus and Minks in Greece - November 13th

Discussion Points

• What are the concerns with coronavirus in relation to mink production? Are these concerns warranted? What are the different views from around the world?
• What does mink production look like globally? How will this impact the market and future of production? (Conduct additional research if needed.)
• What countries to date have been impacted by coronavirus in mink?
• Imagine that you are the Secretary/Minister of Agriculture in a country where coronavirus is impacting mink. What would your plan be to tackle the challenge? What policies and procedures would you suggest/implement and why?

Food Security and COVID-19

This week we highlight a video from the Chicago Council on Global Affairs featuring Roger Thurow. This is part of their "Wait Just a Minute" series. We encourage you to watch the linked video, on food security, and utilize the discussion points below to guide your conversations around the globe!

Wait Just a Minute: Roger Thurow on Food Security

Discussion Points

• How has COVID-19 impacted food security at home and abroad?
• Why is hunger an ignored issue in the USA? If you live outside of the USA is hunger an ignored issue in your home country? Why or why not?
• Share your ideas on fighting food insecurity both locally and around the globe.
• The final question asked of Roger is, "What gives you hope?" What gives you hope personally in regards to food security?

Meat Industry and a Pandemic

Lately there has been great discussion in the agriculture world revolving around meat packing plants, COVID-19, and the food supply chain. This is such a complicated web that deals with the food supply chain, worker health, and animal health. Below we have shared several articles and releases to view regarding our current situation in the United States. Please look through the links provided and utilize the discussion points to guide conversations with others.

USDA Press Release

Pig Farmers Continue Life's Work

Food Supply Chain is Breaking

Discussion Points

• Over the past weeks what has happened in the meat packing and processing industry?
• Why is this such a complex issue? Why does it impact so many different individuals and groups?
• What does the executive order issued by President Trump mean for the meat industry? Do challenges still exist?
• While we are facing tough times in the meat industry this is an opportunity to learn and make improvements. What can we learn and how can we improve (food supply chain, worker safety and health, animal safety and health, etc.)?
• Further research: Are all countries around the world facing these same challenges? If yes, how are they handling things? If no, what did they do differently?

COVID-19 and Food Safety

We are in unprecedented times fighting an ongoing global pandemic. Recently a group of academic professionals shared input on the risk of COVID-19 transmission through food and food packaging. We encourage you to read the linked article from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and utilize the discussion points to guide your conversations around the globe.

No Evidence COVID-19 Is Transmitted Through Food and Food Packaging

Discussion Points

• What is the overall consensus from the article? What are your initial thoughts/reactions?
• It shares that the information provided is gathered from many agencies and organizations from different parts of the world. Do you feel the message is more valid coming from diverse groups from diverse locations? Why or why not?
• There is so much information out there regarding COVID-19 (and many topics for that matter). How do you decipher reliable and valid sources versus those that are not?

*This is an educational blog for educational purposes. Any information shared in this blog is not meant as medical or legal advice from the Global Agriculture Learning Center, Hawkeye Community College, or any employees or volunteers of the fore mentioned.*

Coronavirus and Agriculture

The coronavirus news is everywhere from TV to social media. Several food and agriculture organizations are joining in and pledging their commitment to help others with the impact of the cornavirus. Linked below is an article highlighting this work and commitment. We encourage you to read the linked article and utilize the discussion points provided to guide conversations around the globe.

UN Food Agencies Offer Support to China Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

Discussion Points

• Why are food and agriculture agencies getting involved with the coronavirus assitance and investigation? What is the agriculture impact?
• There is so much going around about the cornavirus it is hard to decipher fact and fiction. How do we determine reliable sources, regarding the coronavirus, and give some examples of reliable sources to gather credible information. 
• Utilizing the reliable sources, discussed previously, further investigate and discuss with others facts discovered. Consider any further impacts on agriculture.