Curious Cook: Living with the next pandemic

Agriculture has caused the devastation of natural habitats and also increased the chances of new pathogens forming.— Bloomberg

At times like this, I am glad for my ears, else I would not be able to wear a face mask. Masks are now a mandatory requirement on public transport and in many establishments here in France. However, as someone with an acute sense of smell, wearing face masks is not a little dispiriting.

I am now less likely to be enticed down little alleys following the scent of a fragrant boulangerie or to appreciate the perfumes on elegant women. On the plus side, people with halitosis are less of a problem. While we struggle to get past this Covid-19 pandemic, perhaps we can accept the current travails as a trial run for the next pandemic. Because there will very likely be another pandemic, perhaps not in our current lifetimes, but the probability is almost a certainty. Let me explain why.