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For this #FoodJusticeFriday once again a reminder of how #coronavirus and inequalities in the #foodsystem are creating dangerous conditions to farmworkers, essential food and frontline workers. #farmworkersareessential #immigrantsfeedus https://twitter.com/leahjdouglas/status/1312019760549449728
OSHA has only provided guidance,no requirements for ag employers, some employers have refused to offer testing or threatened retaliation if workers do seek testing, and public health officials have often been resistant to respond to COVID outbreaks among agricultural workers.
Mass layoffs of agricultural workers have been reported in various locations in order to meet social distancing guidelines, low product demand, and due to positive cases among a cohort of workers.
Overcrowded and substandard housing conditions are a major concern for the potential of COVID-19 to spread through agricultural worker communities. A single building may house several dozen workers or more, who often sleep in dormitory-style quarters.
Extremely low annual incomes and a widespread lack of access to health insurance may limit health care-seeking behaviors among agricultural workers, even if they are experiencing symptoms of an illness
@LifeAtPurdue estimates that more than 133,000 agricultural workers have tested positive for COVID-19 nationwide, but this figure likely underestimates the number greatly since it excludes contracted and temporary labor.
https://ag.purdue.edu/agecon/Pages/FoodandAgVulnerabilityIndex.aspx?_ga=2.49471334.1159720487.1600111458-250602208.1598985334
https://ag.purdue.edu/agecon/Pages/FoodandAgVulnerabilityIndex.aspx?_ga=2.49471334.1159720487.1600111458-250602208.1598985334
No comprehensive national or industry-wide testing or reporting of positive COVID cases among agricultural workers is being systematically conducted, but some case clusters among agricultural workers are being reported in the media.
Example #MichiganAgriculture
Example #MichiganAgriculture
Seasonal workers who packed asparagus at a west Michigan farm initially chalked up their exhaustion, dizziness and headaches to the demands of working 13 hour-shifts seven days a week. https://www.thisweeknews.com/in-depth/news/local/michigan/2020/09/22/migrant-farmworkers-covid-michigan/5793517002/?fbclid=IwAR05__T-ff0NjsccTV7URLjLm7df76afPS6qwRcqLxSzlbIEWRL5codSWYI
This op-ed how the opposition by some #Michigan growers to a state order requiring them to test farmworkers for COVID-19 will hurt farmworkers, and is based on flawed civil rights arguments. https://www.freep.com/story/opinion/contributors/2020/08/31/coronavirus-testing-suit-endangers-exploits-michigan-farmworkers/5661201002/?fbclid=IwAR2Z4PV8wlJ8eaYqXkn1SJ_UB_8IomnPrSOPl_KYlbMN8z3F94c_AhA_J50
Back to National: A number of diverse coalitions to protect the health of farmworkers across the country have emerged and existing ones are putting pressure on Congress and the Administration!
Letter to White House Coronavirus Task Force regarding PPE and COVID-19 testing resources https://www.nasda.org/letters-comments-testimony/letter-to-white-house-coronavirus-task-force-regarding-ppe-and-covid-19-testing-resources#fbclid=IwAR3jRnpEbd77sHdgy_YIb1I4vPs8zt3AqW1afuNTjLqPucugKMOI86L10xE
As COVID-19 Cases Soar, Trump Administration Rejects Requests for Safety Protections for Farmworkers under H-2A Agricultural Guestworker Program. - @FarmwrkrJustice
https://www.farmworkerjustice.org/news-article/as-covid-19-cases-soar-trump-administration-rejects-requests-for-safety-protections-for-farmworkers-under-h-2a-agricultural-guestworker-program/
https://www.farmworkerjustice.org/news-article/as-covid-19-cases-soar-trump-administration-rejects-requests-for-safety-protections-for-farmworkers-under-h-2a-agricultural-guestworker-program/
"We urge Congress and the Administration to provide support and stronger protections to the farm worker community as they continue to risk their lives in the essential work that we all depend upon." - @YoungFarmers https://www.youngfarmers.org/2020/09/releasecfap2/
More research and updates from The National Center for Farmworker Health ( @FarmerHealth NCFH) is a private, not-for-profit corporation located in Buda, Texas dedicated to improving the health status of farmworker families.
http://www.ncfh.org/msaws-and-covid-19.html
http://www.ncfh.org/msaws-and-covid-19.html
