The Week Unwrapped podcast: Pet pandemic, peak meat and post-Covid gigs

Are pets for life or just for lockdown? Is the world losing its taste for meat? And will concert audiences put up with being penned in?

Puppies used to smuggle heroin into the United States
(Image credit: SpaceX)

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days.

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In this week’s episode, we discuss:

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Pet pandemic

The RSPCA is warning of a predicted surge in abandoned animals as owners who adopted pets during lockdown have second thoughts. Meanwhile, a new book examines the dark side of our professed love for our animal pals, from health problems caused by selective breeding to the wider environmental effects of pet-keeping. So who are the true beasts in this scenario?

Going off meat

Is our appetite for meat finally on the wane? A new report suggests we may have reached 'peak meat' – global meat production fell last year and looks set to do the same in 2020. What’s behind the trend and who are the winners and losers?

Socially-distanced gigs

The UK’s first socially-distanced venue opened this week with musician Sam Fender playing at Gosforth Park in Newcastle. The gig at the new Virgin Money Unity Arena saw 2,500 people attend, with groups of five fans watching from their own viewing platforms. Could this be the future of watching live music concerts?

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