Paul McCartney to Howard Stern Regarding Chinese Wet Markets: ‘Let’s Face It, It Is A Little Bit Medieval Eating Bats’

In a new interview with Howard Stern on SiriusXM, Paul McCartney weighed in on the coronavirus pandemic … and he didn’t mince his words.

The Beatles icon, a proud vegetarian and animal rights proponent, was especially critical of the Chinese wet markets that some circles hold responsible for the spread of COVID-19.

Said McCartney (as detailed by the Guardian):

“I really hope that this will mean the Chinese government says, ‘OK, guys, we have really got to get super hygienic around here.’ Let’s face it, it is a little bit medieval eating bats,” he said.

That reference to bats, of course, stems from the widely held belief that somebody contracted COVID-19 initially via an interaction with a bat at one of these wet markets — though that has not been proven to be the case.

Given McCartney’s animal rights beliefs, he spoke with conviction about a desire to see the markets close — as they sell freshly slaughtered animals on a daily basis.

More, via the Guardian:

“It’s not a stupid idea, it is a very good idea,” he said. “They don’t need all the people dying. And what’s it for? All these medieval practices. They just need to clean up their act. This may lead to it. If this doesn’t, I don’t know what will.”

Continued McCartney, “They might as well be letting off atomic bombs, because it’s affecting the whole world. Whoever is responsible for this is at war with the world and itself.”

Visit SiriusXM to hear the full interview.

Among other topics in the lengthy chat between McCartney and Stern, Paul notes that he’s already seen the upcoming Peter Jackson Beatles documentary Get Back — and he loved it:

And be sure to tune in this weekend when Paul McCartney will take part in this weekend’s One World Together At Home streaming event put on by Global Citizen, Lady Gaga and the W.H.O.

Global Citizen + WHO Announce ‘One World: Together at Home’ Streaming Concert Event 4/18 Benefiting COVID-19 Fight