19 cases of COVID-19 confirmed at pork plant in Worthington (MN)
Source: StarTribune
Nineteen cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed at the JBS pork plant in Worthington, the union representing workers there said Friday, dealing another blow to hog farmers and the meat supply chain and highlighting a widespread correlation between meatpacking plants and coronavirus hot spots.
The JBS plant which employs about 2,000 workers and produces more than 4% of the nation's pork supply had been a success story compared with other meatpacking plants, with zero confirmed cases through early this week.
But the close quarters and large gatherings required at meat factories appear to have repeatedly foiled efforts at sanitization and social distancing. Officials with the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 663, the union that represents 1,850 workers at the plant, demanded the company scale back production to allow employees to work farther apart.
(snip)
Minnesota officials said Friday there were 30 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Worthington among the 2,071 statewide, and Gov. Tim Walz said some of the JBS employees have relatives who work at the Smithfield pork plant in Sioux Falls, which is closed indefinitely. More than 700 workers at the Sioux Falls Smithfield plant have tested positive for COVID-19.
Read more: https://www.startribune.com/first-covid-19-case-confirmed-at-pork-plant-in-worthington-minn/569731152
But.. but.. many protested to open Minnesota..
bucolic_frolic
(42,678 posts)they are having a higher incidence than other occupations? Police and of course medical personnel have been hard hit. Is it the same for retail workers? Pickers? Or just meat plants
IronLionZion
(45,261 posts)and other meat.
Meat processing is high risk due to close quarters and difficulty in sanitation. This virus supposedly started with wildlife used for meat in a wet market in China.
First responders and hospital workers are high risk and hard hit as well, but are more likely to receive the right protective equipment than meat workers.
sybylla
(8,464 posts)These workers are non-union and probably don't have good healthcare, benefits like PTO, or anything else. They are virtual slaves who are in precarious positions in our society and don't feel they can access social services, medical services, etc. This article mentions a union, so hopefully, this one is different. Since they have workers who have relatives at the SD plant, and the only people I saw interviewed regarding the SD plant were immigrant laborers and their families, I am doubtful.
at140
(6,110 posts)Iliyah
(25,111 posts)are being affected. Milk and veggies have felt the infection from at least months ago. t-rump and republican party knew months ago.
Wellstone ruled
(34,661 posts)Know that shit hole very well. Nice to see Walz has a clue as to what the real story is. Can not say that for Reynolds or Moan.
NickB79
(19,114 posts)600 co-workers. She's not in bad health, but she's 61 and has been smoking a pack a day since she was 18.
I'm really worried that it's just a matter of time
NickB79
(19,114 posts)Temp checks before being allowed in the building. Management seems really worried.
spike jones
(1,656 posts)There goes the sausage, ham, and hamlets. I love those little hamlets. They make them from little piglets and are the veal of the pork industry. You have your Shakespeares Hamlet, and you have your Smithfields hamlets.
Warpy
(110,913 posts)It's an essential industry. They won't stay closed for long.
spike jones
(1,656 posts)progree
(10,864 posts)Closing values of DOW and S&P 500
Date ....... DOW ........ S&P 500
March 17 21,237.38 2,529.19
April 17 24,242.49 2,874.56
% increase: +14.1% +13.7%
Dow: https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/%5EDJI/history?p=%5EDJI
S&P 500: https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/%5EGSPC/history?p=%5EGSPC
Warpy
(110,913 posts)Chicken, beef and fish processing will all be affected.
Fruits and veg will likely be picked by people who have been exposed but are well enough to work.
This is about the time we start cooking everything we eat.
EarthFirst
(2,877 posts)Shit. In two/three weeks youll be able to go out to a restaurant and have someone cook for you!
Warpy
(110,913 posts)It would be wise to skip the salad bar.