Canadian singer, Bryan Adams, apologized for an outburst on coronavirus in an Instagram post. He trumpeted expletives at Wuhan’s wet market- the supposed origin of pandemic coronavirus.
The singer, in his tirade, attacked “bat eating, wet market animal selling, virus making greedy bastards” in China. Adding that “Tonight was supposed to be the beginning of a tenancy of gigs at the Royal Albert Hall. But because of the ‘whole world is now on hold, not to mention the thousands that have suffered or died from this virus.’”
“My message to them other than ‘thanks a fucking lot’ is going vegan,” wrote Bryan Adams in an Instagram post.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CAFy-nKnkFi/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
The singer unleashed his angst over the cancellation of his planned performances in London due to outbreak of coronavirus.
A score of readers interpreted his social media post an anti-China and anti-Asia. Hence, the singer apologized in the next post on his Instagram account.
Bryan Adam apologized
“Apologies to all that took offence to my posting yesterday,” Adams said in a new post on Tuesday.
“No excuse, I just wanted to have a rant about the horrible animal cruelty in these wet markets being the possible source of the virus, and promote veganism.”
He added: “I have love for all people and my thoughts are with everyone dealing with this pandemic around the world.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CADYjsonDVJ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
The singer received flak including from Amy Go, president of Chinese Canadian National Council of Social Justice.
“This is so irresponsible and just so, so, so, so racist,” said Amy. She added that “People look up to public figures. He is seen as an idol by many.” Amy fears that Bryan’s statement would fuel the anti-Chinese and racist sentiments against China. Bryan Adams post remained on Instagram but removed from Twitter.
Tirade against China
His comments came after the World Health Organisation said that one such wet market in China’s Wuhan played a role in the outbreak of novel coronavirus. But, only further research can substantiate the link.
“The market played a role in the event, that’s clear. But what role we don’t know, whether it was the source or amplifying setting or just a coincidence that some cases were detected in and around that market,” said Dr Peter Ben Embarek, a WHO expert on food safety and zoonotic viruses.
Read more: FBI blames China for hacking coronavirus vaccine research
Moreover, US President Donald Trump had been on a tirade against China for spreading coronavirus in the world.
In a series of his unverified yet speculative statements, President Trump has levelled serious accusations on China. However, China reacted to U.S. President Donald Trump calling coronavirus a ‘Chinese virus’.
China retorted to Mike Pompeo’s allegations that Beijing is somehow behind the origin and spread of COVID-19. It called Pompeo’s ‘comedy routine’ as deeply cynical and damaging to the United States.
Pompeo continues to insist that the virus came from a laboratory in Wuhan, even though he has yet to present evidence for this incendiary claim, and has ignored scientists who say the virus is from the wild, the opinion piece in the state-operated China daily argued.