[wcoenen]

> massive chunk of the population lives in absolute poverty

30 years ago yes, but not anymore.

https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.DDAY?locations=C...

[9nGQluzmnq3M]

Also, the rural folks living in poverty are not the ones buying exotic animals in a big city like Wuhan. Although they may well be at the start of the supply chain, catching it for the well-heeled city folks treating guests to exotic banquets.