Can you catch a new virus from a pet?

WHO demands pandemic data from China; Cyclone Freddy is historic and tragic [View this email online]( [NPR]( Goats and Soda editor's note Ben de la Cruz/NPR; Lauren Migaki/NPR As we conclude our series on "Hidden Viruses" this month, we're answering reader questions. "Get ready for a silly question," one reader wrote. "I love my pups very much – and I think they love me too because I get lots of kisses. [Is that bad from a spillover virus perspective]( – for me or my dogs? Should I train my pups to be less ... kissy? That's gonna be tough. I may just accept the risk :)" It's not a silly question at all, explains correspondent (and dog owner) Michaeleen Doucleff. She interviewed a virologist who had wondered the same thing -- so did some research on ticks carried by his cat Gibbs. Doucleff reports on what he found -- evidence of disease for sure. But don't worry, the conclusion is that you don't need to give up dog kisses and cat cuddles. [Read the story here.]( We'll be answering more reader questions in an upcoming post. Marc Silver Editor, Goats and Soda in the news Eddie Holmes [WHO calls on China to share data on raccoon dog link to pandemic. Here's what we know]( Data was released briefly, then rescinded. As NPR reported previously, there is already strong evidence pointing to these animals in the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan. [What worries medical charities about trying to help Syria's earthquake survivors]( Camps in Syria have become overcrowded in the northwest of the country after the February 6 earthquake. Dr. Mego Terzian of Doctors without Borders assesses the situation. [Cyclone Freddy shattered records. People lost everything. How does the healing begin?]( The countries hit by this unprecedented storm now must help survivors who may have lost nearly everything. We talk to an aid worker on the ground in Mozambique for insights. india's oscar-winning song Indranil Mukherjee/AFP via Getty Images [The Oscar for 'Naatu Naatu' fans the impossible dreams of India's musicians]( A song from the blockbuster Indian film RRR won the Oscar for best song and is now the talk of India's music biz. But will it lift other musicians to — well, not fame but at least financial security? runaway goats screengrab by NPR via u/kevin1760/Reddit [Runaway goats in San Francisco were probably ... freaked out]( The video of goats dashing through the streets of San Francisco drew thousands of views on Twitter and was the subject of much joking. We asked a goat specialist to weigh in. --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- links we like - Global Health Now explains how [tiger attacks]( in Bangladesh's Sundarbans forest are causing "a mental health crisis." - "The climate emergency is [turning fragile supply chains into a crisis,"]( reports Devex. A lack of crucial medications is part of this crisis. - NPR's "Picture Show" offers a story and photos showing how ["Women across Iran are refusing to wear headscarves, in open defiance of the regime."]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Stream your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to find your local station stream. [Find a Station]( What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: [goatsandsoda@npr.org](mailto:goatsandsoda@npr.org?subject=Newsletter%20Feedback) Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can [sign up here](. Looking for more great content? [Check out all of our newsletter offerings]( — including Health, Daily News, Code Switch and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Goats and Soda emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy]( [NPR logo]