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There’s so many must-read investigations about meatpacking and Covid-19, it can be hard to keep up. Here’s a thread of recent stories that expand what we know about how meat companies are handling outbreaks — over 44,500 cases at 500+ facilities — and the ongoing risk to workers:
The number of food safety inspectors working in meatpacking plants has declined significantly since April, even as whistleblower complaints are up 30% this year. Via @guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/oct/01/incredibly-dangerous-job-concerns-safety-is-slipping-at-us-meat-plants
Congressional Democrats are investigating why the CDC softened its language in an April report sent to Smithfield Foods re: an outbreak at its Sioux Falls, SD, plant. Via @washingtonpost (first reported by @maddow). https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/09/30/cdc-meatpacking-smithfield/
The Merced County health department warned Foster Farms for months to better protect its workers from Covid-19, but the plant didn’t close until after 8 workers had died.
Via @MotherJones: https://www.motherjones.com/food/2020/09/foster-farms-covid-livingston-death-outbreak-osha-safety-masks-infection-poultry-workers/
Via @MotherJones: https://www.motherjones.com/food/2020/09/foster-farms-covid-livingston-death-outbreak-osha-safety-masks-infection-poultry-workers/
JBS has denied scores of applications for workers’ compensation benefits related to Covid-19, including some filed by the families of workers who died.
Via @Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-jbs-colorado-insig-idUSKBN26K1X6
Via @Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-jbs-colorado-insig-idUSKBN26K1X6
JBS workers in Utah say they still have not been paid for time they missed due to contracting Covid-19 during a spring outbreak, and face ongoing financial and health issues.
Via @sltrib: https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2020/09/27/months-after-outbreak/
Via @sltrib: https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2020/09/27/months-after-outbreak/
I’m going to keep updating this thread with more meatpacking/Covid-19 investigations.
North Carolina health officials didn't disclose businesses with Covid outbreaks for fear of pushback from the meat industry.
Via @ncwatchdognet / @newsobserver: https://www.newsobserver.com/news/coronavirus/article244672767.html
North Carolina health officials didn't disclose businesses with Covid outbreaks for fear of pushback from the meat industry.
Via @ncwatchdognet / @newsobserver: https://www.newsobserver.com/news/coronavirus/article244672767.html
In Wisconsin, meatpacking and food processing facilities didn’t implement adequate Covid precautions for workers, and government agencies failed to crack down on the worst offenders.
At least 1,500 workers got sick and 8 have died.
Via @journalsentinel: https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/2020/07/31/wisconsin-food-plants-failed-protect-workers-covid-19-smithfield-birds-eye-diversified-meats-calumet/5334812002/
At least 1,500 workers got sick and 8 have died.
Via @journalsentinel: https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/2020/07/31/wisconsin-food-plants-failed-protect-workers-covid-19-smithfield-birds-eye-diversified-meats-calumet/5334812002/
